Report: Tony Sparano Could Return to Jets After Coaching 30th-Ranked Offense

by Doug Kyed on Wed, Jan 2, 2013 at 10:42PM

Black Monday has come and gone, and New York Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano still has a job. So does that mean he’s staying on with New York despite coaching the 30th-ranked offense in the NFL last season?

The Jets have not made a decision over whether to bring Sparano back, according to The Associated Press. So far, after a disastrous 2012 season, the only move New York has made is to fire general manager Mike Tannenbaum. Rex Ryan will reportedly stay on as head coach.

That leaves the possibility that Ryan, Sparano and quarterback Mark Sanchez could all be back in 2013. With the trouble the Jets face working around a shallow salary cap, it may be wise to bring everyone back for one more season if it will likely be another frustrating season.

In 2012, New York was 30th in passing offense, had 12th-ranked rushing offense and were No. 28 in scoring. At just 3.8 yards per carry, the Jets were No. 23 in yards per rush. The Jets allowed the sixth most sacks last year, though 10 of their 47 sacks came in Week 16 against San Diego with Greg McElroy starting.

Sparano was the head coach of the Dolphins from 2008 to 2011. He was fired in December of last year after leading Miami to a 4-9 record. He had a 29-32 record during the regular season with the Dolphins and an 0-1 record in the playoffs — the Dolphins lost to the Ravens in the AFC wild card game in Sparano’s first season as a head coach.

Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reported on Dec. 30 that Sparano would be fired at the end of the season. Now that Tannenbaum has been fired, it’s possible a new general manager will be counted on to make coaching decisions.