Tony Sparano Jr. was hired as the assistant offensive line coach on January 19, 2017 and is entering his third season in the role.
Sparano aided a unit that was beleaguered with injuries during the 2018 season. Despite using seven different starting lineup combinations and four starting RBs, Sparano’s line paved the way for the Jaguars to rush for 100-plus yards in eight games, including 226 on Nov. 25 at Buffalo.
In 2017, the Jaguars offensive line allowed a franchise single-season low 24 sacks and blocked for a league-leading rushing attack that averaged 141.4 rushing yards per game. The offensive line led the way for rookie RB Leonard Fournette to rush for 1,040 yards and nine TDs on 268 carries as Fournette became only the second rookie RB in Jaguars history, and first since Fred Taylor in 1998, to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards. Overall, the Jaguars finished the year rushing for 2,262 yards and 18 TDs on 527 carries. Aided by the protection of the offensive line, QB Blake Bortles completed a career-high 60.2 percent of his passes and threw for 3,687 yards and 21 TDs.
While serving as the tight ends coach with Buffalo in 2016, Sparano oversaw the team’s leading receiver, TE Charles Clay, as he produced 57 receptions for 552 yards and four touchdowns, which ranks as the third-best season by a Bills TE in team history. Sparano helped Clay transition seamlessly in 2015 from Miami to Buffalo as he went on to catch 51 receptions for 528 yards and three TDs in his first season with the Bills. In addition to Clay providing the Bills aerial attack with a consistent target, Sparano’s TE group helped pave the way for the Bills to have both the top rushing attack in the NFL in yards (2,432) and yards per carry (4.78) in 2015.
Prior to joining the Bills, Sparano spent three seasons with the New York Jets. In 2014, he served as an offensive assistant and from 2012-13 he served as an intern, working with the offense specifically in 2013.
Sparano spent the 2011 season with the Miami Dolphins as the offensive quality control coach. Before entering the NFL ranks, Sparano spent one year in the UFL with the Hartford Colonials as their assistant defensive line coach.
Sparano attended the University of Albany where he was a three-year letterman at defensive end. He is married to his wife, Rebecca, and has three kids, Tony Jr., Gabriella and Mia.
