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Dolphins' 'Family' Welcomes Sparano

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The Associated Press

Published: January 17, 2008

DAVIE - Discussing his new job as Miami Dolphins coach, Tony Sparano sounded like Tony Soprano.

"I'm just happy to be part of the family," Sparano said.

The family includes his mentor, Bill Parcells, and General Manager Jeff Ireland, who are transforming their new team into the Miami Cowboys.

Sparano is the latest transplant from Dallas. He was the Cowboys' assistant head coach before accepting an offer Wednesday to rejoin Parcells and Ireland.

The trio worked together in Dallas when Parcells was head coach in 2003-06.

"I know what the people here are capable of, and I'm excited about that," Sparano said at a news conference.

Parcells sat in a corner of the room, smiling occasionally like a proud papa. He declined to meet with reporters, leaving the talk to his proteges.

"When Bill and I discussed what we were looking for in a head coach, we talked about one of high character," Ireland said. "We wanted someone who understood how to develop young players, one who could instill a culture that's all about winning.

"We think we found that guy. We know we found that guy."

The hiring had been anticipated since Parcells fired Cam Cameron, who went 1-15 in his first year as an NFL head coach. Of the four candidates Miami interviewed, Sparano was the only one with ties to the new regime.

"I've coached for a lot of people and worked for a lot of great coaches," said Sparano, 46. "Coach Parcells has taught me the most and prepared me the most for this job."

Sparano said he's unconcerned he might be working in the shadow of his boss. Their relationship dates to 2003, when Sparano became the Cowboys' tight ends coach.

BILLS: Turk Schonert was promoted to offensive coordinator after serving as the team's QB coach the past two years.

CHIEFS: Hired former Cowboys head coach Chan Gailey to be the offensive coordinator.

FALCONS: Met with Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett for the second time in looking for a head coach.

NFL: Anthony Noto, 39, who runs the Goldman Sachs Group Inc. communications, media and entertainment research group, will become the NFL's chief financial officer Feb. 24.

PANTHERS: Owner Jerry Richardson said he never considered firing Coach John Fox and General Manager Marty Hurney, and is convinced the duo, who will return next season, can put the struggling franchise back in the playoffs.

TITANS: Authorities in Georgia say a woman who accused suspended cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones of hitting her has withdrawn her petition to have him arrested. A clerk in the Warrants Division told The Associated Press the petition of Wanda S. Jackson had been withdrawn Wednesday.

Also, the Titans were granted permission to talk to Denver assistant head coach Mike Heimerdinger, a day after dismissing offensive coordinator Norm Chow.

GOGOLAK'S SON DIES: The son of former star NFL kicker Pete Gogolak was killed in a weekend avalanche while skiing near Whitefish Mountain Resort in Montana.

David Gogolak recently moved to northwestern Montana after spending years as a restaurateur in San Francisco. Authorities said the 36-year-old Gogolak was skiing with his brother-in-law, who survived Sunday's avalanche. Also killed was Anthony Kollmann, a 19-year-old avid skier from Kalispell.

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