Is Tony Sparano the New Don Shula?

After the latest victory of the Miami Dolphins, there are people who compare Tony Sparano with Don Shula. The question that is being asked is the following: Is Tony Sparano the new Don Shula? The answers or at least a discussion comparing Sparano and Shula will serve as the basis of this article.

It cannot be denied that Tony Sparano, with the help of Parcells, was instrumental in converting the Miami Dolphins into a team that could go to the playoffs. The fact that the Miami Dolphins have come this far after a long time of being an easy target in the NFL is great news especially for this Dolphin Fan.

One of the factors that has contributed to the success of the Dolphins and Sparano as Coach was communication. Tony Sparano [like Bill Parcells and Don Shula] before him were communicators. They told the players their opinions of the plays, their likes, and dislikes. In the NFL, a coach has to be an excellent communicator.

Another factor that has helped is the need for organization and coherence in a game and a team. Only a coach who believes in consistency, organization, and coherence [like Sparano, Shula, and Parcells] are the one that help teams go the extra mile in order to qualify for the playoffs and maybe the Super Bowl.

While defining what a coach [such as Sparano, Shula, and Parcells] could do for their team, there also has to be respect and a positive attitude. During the long wilderness which culminated in the Dolphins winning only one game in the 2007 NFL Season, the players did not respect the coach.

At least, I did not see this in the Johnson, Wanstedt, Saban, and other era of wilderness coaches from 1996 to 2007. The players were undisciplined and with the attitude of indifference in their playing. Others such as Ricky Williams were in trouble with the law and the fans. It is refreshing to see that respect has made a comeback in the Miami Dolphins.

It appears that while Sparano is of a different generation from Shula and Parcells, he has followed the hard work ethic of these giants in coaching. At the present rate, Sparano may become the Coaching Giant of the 21st century. He deserves an honorable mention in this article.

Whether the Miami Dolphins make the playoffs or win the Super Bowl is unsure. What is sure is that the 2008 NFL Season was better from the 2007 NFL Season and the previous ten years. The Miami Dolphins must continue in the path set forth by Parcells and Sparano.