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Tony Sparano Fired: Miami Dolphins Reportedly Dismiss Coach After Three-Plus Seasons

Sparano compiled a 29-32 record in Miami, including 4-9 in 2011.

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Getty Images

The Miami Dolphins have fired coach Tony Sparano after four seasons with the team, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reported Monday. Sparano took over the Dolphins in 2008 following the team's dismissal of Cam Cameron, who coached the Dolphins to a 1-15 record in 2007. Sparano's record with Miami stands at 29-31, including 4-8 in 2011.

Sparano guided the Dolphins to an 11-5 record in his first season, a stark turnaround from their dismal 2007 campaign. However, they lost to the Baltimore Ravens, 27-9, in the AFC Wild Card round. That game would prove to be Miami's lone postseason appearance under Sparano.

In 2009 and 2010, the Dolphins' record stood at 7-6 entering the season's final three weeks, with a playoff berth a possibility. And in each season, Miami lost each of its last three games to finish below .500 and out of the playoff picture. The losing carried over into 2011, in which Sparano's club got off to an 0-7 start before putting together its first three-game win streak since his first season.

For more on the Dolphins, please visit The Phinsider, SB Nation's Dolphins blog.

Photographs by cstreet.us, thelastminute, turtlemom nancy , fesek, kthypryn, justinwright, sue_elias, pointnshoot, and scrapstothefuture used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.