Vikings assistant coach Tony Sparano died from arteriosclerotic heart disease, the Hennepin County (Minn.) Medical Examiner’s office said in a release Monday evening (via Minneapolis Star Tribune).
Sparano, 56, died Sunday morning after collapsing in the kitchen of his home in Eden Prairie, Minn.
EMTs were called shortly after his wife, Jeanette, found Sparano unconscious just before 9 a.m. CT. He had complained of chest pains Thursday and went to the hospital Friday but was released.
According to Star Tribune, Sparano’s children — sons Tony and Andrew and daughter Ryan Leigh — were en route to Minnesota on Monday. Funeral arrangements had not been finalized.
Vikings rookies report for training camp Tuesday "under a cloud of sorrow that renders football matters rather insignificant," the Star Tribune noted.
Team owners Mark and Zygi Wilf issued a statement Sunday:
“Our hearts go out to Jeanette and the entire Sparano family as we all mourn the loss of Tony. Tony was a passionate and driven individual who cared deeply about his family, and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Tony's presence within the Vikings organization will be deeply missed. We are only thinking of Tony’s family during this incredibly difficult time. We ask that the entire NFL and Vikings family keep the Sparanos in their thoughts,” .
He had been with the Vikings since 2016 under head coach Mike Zimmer.
Sparano served as Dolphins head coach from 2008-11, posting a 29-32 record, and was the interim Raiders head coach in 2014, going 3-9.
He also coached with the Browns, Redskins, Jaguars, Cowboys, Jets and 49ers throughout his 20-year NFL career.
Before he broke into the professional ranks, Sparano spent six seasons at Boston College as the offensive line coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator.
He returned to his alma mater New Haven in 1994 as the team's head coach and boasted a 41-14 record in five seasons before moving on with the Browns.