NFL Alumni Selects Tony Sparano As Its 2008 Coach Of The Year

[fairbanksb]

http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/news/top_story.asp?contentID=6316

January 6, 2009

http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/md_photos.swf
On the heels of turning around a franchise that was 1-15 just one season ago to a record of 11-5 and an AFC East championship, Miami Dolphins Head Coach Tony Sparano has been named 2008 Coach of the Year by the NFL Alumni.

In his first year as the Dolphins' head coach in 2008, Sparano guided the Dolphins to a ten-win improvement, achieved only one other time in league annals, in 1999 when the Indianapolis Colts went from 3-13 to 13-3.

In addition, since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978, there have been eight teams that have experienced a 1-15 season, including the 2007 Dolphins. With their 11-5 finish this season, the Dolphins under Sparano have posted the best record of any of those teams the year following their 1-15 season and are the only one of those teams to qualify for the playoffs the next year. In fact of the previous seven teams, just two went on to post a winning record the following season, most recently the 1997 Jets, who under the guidance of first-year Head Coach Bill Parcells, went 9-7 a year after finishing with a 1-15 mark in 1996.

The 2008 awardees will be honored at the 27th annual Player of the Year Awards Dinner, to be held Friday evening, Jan. 30, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency Tampa in Tampa, Fla. The fundraising dinner will be held on the eve of Super Bowl XLIII. During the awards ceremony, the Don Shula Coach of the Year Award will be presented by former Dolphins Head Coach Don Shula.

 

[oasis]

Well, it doesn't erase the snub of NFL COTY, but at least it's some recognition for the tremendous job he's done. Congrats Tony!

 

[RHoffman]

Wow the NFL Alumni has a clue and no one else does so far.

 

[dolphinattick]

hands down the best coaching job in the nfl this year, tony sp will be one of the best coaches in the nfl, the reason is because he is real with is players, if they have done a good job he tell's them if they stunk the house he tells them and still the players love him, i am very happy that he is our coach we are very locky, he is also a tremendous person.

 

[Lorenzo Rules]

the media pundits here were bashing Pennington and were angry that Adrain Peterson didnt win the player of the year award.

 

[dlockz]

great honor. Seriously how can you argue with with Sparano, Smith or Harbaugh.

I think you have to add Jeff Fisher to that list also.

 

[xxAQUA JOSHUAxx]

Mike Smith didnt even win his division

 

[dlockz]

Mike Smith didnt even win his division

well would not have either if another team had 12 wins in our division like his did. Belichek did not even make the playoffs and I say he did a great coaching job this season.

 

[xxAQUA JOSHUAxx]

well would not have either if another team had 12 wins in our division like his did. Belichek did not even make the playoffs and I say he did a great coaching job this season.

The NFC is a different conference because the eagles made the playoffs at 9-6-1 and in the AFC you need atleast 11 wins to make the wildcard. Add the fact that Sparano is one of the reasons for the biggest turnaround in nlf history. Smith did great with ryan but the way we finished our season should have gave sparano the award.

 

[FinsGonnaRock06]

giving props to Bellicheat on a fins board is equivalent to congradulating the DEVIL IMO.

 

[Vaark]

Finally, someone's been able to separate reality from emotionality! Well-deserved!