arty:The New York Jets quickly found a new offensive coordinator, announcing the hiring of former Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano on Wednesday.
Sparano replaces Brian Schottenheimer, who left the team one week after an embarrassing, late-season meltdown.
More changes will be coming to the Jets. Former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley, who some thought would wind up in Arizona, will visit the Jets on Wednesday, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Haley could get the assistant head coaching title that Bill Callahan left behind, a source told Schefter.
On Tuesday, the Jets parted ways with offensive line coach Callahan and receivers coach Henry Ellard, both of whom had expiring contracts. Callahan was a possibility to succeed Schottenheimer, but he was hired by the Dallas Cowboys to replace retiring line coach Hudson Houck.
Sparano has no experience as a coordinator, although he did call plays for the Cowboys in 2006. He made his bones as an offensive line coach, an indication that Jets coach Rex Ryan wants to get back to a run-oriented style. However, the Jets' No. 1 priority will be to fix slumping quarterback Mark Sanchez and Sparano struggled to develop Chad Henne in Miami. Haley's specialty is the passing game.
Sparano was fired three games from the end of his fourth season with the Dolphins and one day after Miami lost to the Eagles to fall to 4-9.
In Sparano's first season as an NFL head coach, he led the Dolphins to a surprising 11-5 record, the 2008 AFC East title and their only playoff game since 2001. But that was the high point and he departed with a record of 29-32.
Meanwhile, al.com reports that Schottenheimer is talking to Nick Saban about becoming offensive coordinator of national champion Alabama. He would replace Jim McElwain, who became the head coach at Colorado State.
Sparano replaces Brian Schottenheimer, who left the team one week after an embarrassing, late-season meltdown.
More changes will be coming to the Jets. Former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley, who some thought would wind up in Arizona, will visit the Jets on Wednesday, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Haley could get the assistant head coaching title that Bill Callahan left behind, a source told Schefter.
On Tuesday, the Jets parted ways with offensive line coach Callahan and receivers coach Henry Ellard, both of whom had expiring contracts. Callahan was a possibility to succeed Schottenheimer, but he was hired by the Dallas Cowboys to replace retiring line coach Hudson Houck.
Sparano has no experience as a coordinator, although he did call plays for the Cowboys in 2006. He made his bones as an offensive line coach, an indication that Jets coach Rex Ryan wants to get back to a run-oriented style. However, the Jets' No. 1 priority will be to fix slumping quarterback Mark Sanchez and Sparano struggled to develop Chad Henne in Miami. Haley's specialty is the passing game.
Sparano was fired three games from the end of his fourth season with the Dolphins and one day after Miami lost to the Eagles to fall to 4-9.
In Sparano's first season as an NFL head coach, he led the Dolphins to a surprising 11-5 record, the 2008 AFC East title and their only playoff game since 2001. But that was the high point and he departed with a record of 29-32.
Meanwhile, al.com reports that Schottenheimer is talking to Nick Saban about becoming offensive coordinator of national champion Alabama. He would replace Jim McElwain, who became the head coach at Colorado State.
