Sparano to take over Miami Dolphins

MIAMI, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Tony Sparano, most recently an assistant head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, has been hired as the eighth head coach in Miami Dolphins history.

Sparano replaces Cam Cameron, who was fired Jan. 3 after the team went 1-15 in his only season as head coach. Sparano's hiring was reported on the team Web site.

Cameron's firing was one of the first actions by new General Manager Jeff Ireland, who was hired the day before by Dolphins Vice President Bill Parcells.

Sparano, 46, has head coaching experience at the University of New Haven (1994-98) and has been an assistant coach in the NFL for nine seasons, including the last five with the Cowboys.

He was Dallas' tight ends coach from 2003-04, offensive line/running game coordinator in 2005, assistant head coach/offensive line/running game coordinator in 2006 and assistant head coach/offensive line in 2007.

Sparano is the sixth head coach in Miami since Don Shula left the team after the 1995 season, and the fifth since Jimmy Johnson left the team after the1999 season.