Raiders Introduce Sparano As Head Coach, Say Turnaround Is 'Doable'
OAKLAND (CBS SF) - The Tony Sparano era begins in Oakland after a delayed and subdued press conference at Raiders headquarters in Alameda, where new head coach Tony Sparano described replacing friend Dennis Allen as head coach as a "bittersweet" moment.
The Raiders confirmed the promotion of the former Miami Dolphins head coach earlier in the day, but made the hiring of the interim coach official at the 2:40 p.m. event which was originally scheduled for 2 p.m.
General Manager Reggie McKenzie introduced Sparano almost immediately after starting the press conference.
McKenzie brushed over Allen's departure surprisingly quickly, spoke for one minute and handed it over to Sporano.
— Dennis O'Donnell (@DennisKPIX) September 30, 2014
McKenzie did say the responsibility for the team's 0-4 start "fell on him," but seemed to shift the blame in other comments.
McKenzie brushed over Allen's departure surprisingly quickly, spoke for one minute and handed it over to Sporano.
— Dennis O'Donnell (@DennisKPIX) September 30, 2014
Sparano said "We're all responsible" for the start, but described a turnaround as "doable" with the people already on the roster.
Sparano says @RAIDERS will change philosophy, not o coordinators or d coordinators
— Dennis O'Donnell (@DennisKPIX) September 30, 2014
Sparano coached the Dolphins from 2008 to 2011 before he was fired late in the 2011 season, finishing with an overall 29-32 record. He was offensive coordinator for the New York Jets in 2012. He had been working with the Raiders' offensive line before the move.
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McKenzie said he will be in charge of finding a permanent coach, but deflected questions about whether he would hold his job long enough to do so.
McKenzie: "nobody has to tell me my job is on the line".
— Dennis O'Donnell (@DennisKPIX) September 30, 2014
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