Tony Sparano: Save Sympathy for Miami Dolphins Coach in Wake of Coaching Mess

Well, I'm certainly not going to rehash the full details of the Miami Dolphins coaching fiasco this week, because it would fill a book and we'll probably never truly know what happened.

In a nutshell, Miami appears to have explored hiring Bill Cowher, Jon Gruden and Jim Harbaugh while still having a coach in Tony Sparano.

This notion seems to bother a lot of people because Sparano "was left twisting in the wind." Was it the wrong approach? Yes. But now the national media and some fans alike seem to be taking "poor Tony" a little too far.

In fact, it seems that Sparano may actually get a raise out of this week of misfortune, which I can hardly believe.

Did I miss something?

Is this the coach that makes $3 MILLION next season whether or not there is even a season, or whether or not he is the head coach of the Miami Dolphins next year? Yes, yes he is.

Just as importantly, let's go back just five days ago. Did the Dolphins show up in their 38-7 loss to the Patriots? No, they didn't. Who is ultimately responsible for that effort? The retired offensive coordinator? No, that would be head coach Tony Sparano.

Did the Miami Dolphins go 7-9 for the past two years and miss the playoffs? Yes, they did.

Is Tony Sparano the same coach who was blasted by Ricky Williams for his "micro-management," by Jason Taylor for a "tough environment" and appears to have lost at least some of the locker room? Yup, that's him.

Now, I am not saying the right move was to fire Sparano, although I might have preferred to go in a different direction.

But, to give him a raise?

Some suggested his feelings might be hurt and that he should tell the Dolphins to take the job and shove it, except that he has those $3 million reasons not to do that. You see, if he quits, no more money.

In fact, if anything, Sparano should be motivated (if he is truly the coach the Dolphins fans want and need) to prove the front office wrong and to put himself in a great bargaining position next year by taking to the Dolphins to the playoffs in 2011.

But, to give him a raise now?

A rebate to season-ticket holders for the embarrassment of the last few days might seem like a much better idea.

Update: Tony Sparano has been awarded a two-year coaching extension that will run through 2013. So in essence he just got an approximately six million dollar raise and some job security.