Sparano Jr. is in his third season with the Colts as the team's offensive line coach. He has 15 years of coaching experience, including the last 14 seasons in the NFL.
Since 2023, Indianapolis has scored at least 20 points in 25 games, which ranks tied for eighth in the NFL.
For the second consecutive season, Indianapolis ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in rushing yards per game (137.1 – eighth) in 2024. The Colts tied for the seventh-fewest sacks allowed (32) and ranked sixth in games with no sacks allowed (four). Sparano Jr.'s group helped running back Jonathan Taylor finish fourth in the league in rushing yards (1,431). Guard Quenton Nelson was an Associated Press Second Team All-Pro choice and was named to the Pro Bowl (seventh selection).
Sparano Jr. mentored two rookie draft picks in tackle Matt Goncalves (third round, 79th overall) and guard Tanor Bortolini (fourth round, 117th overall). Goncalves played in all 17 games with eight starts (five at right tackle and three at left tackle), while Bortolini saw action in 12 games (five starts at center). Indianapolis also received contributions from undrafted rookie free agent guard Dalton Tucker, who appeared in 14 games (seven starts at right guard).
In 2023, Sparano Jr.'s group paved the way for Indianapolis to finish in the top 10 in the NFL in points per game (23.3 – tied-10th) and rushing yards per game (121.1 – 10th). Center Ryan Kelly (fourth selection) and Nelson (sixth selection) were each named to the Pro Bowl.
Sparano Jr. tutored rookie tackle Blake Freeland, whom the team selected in the fourth round (106th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. Freeland played in 16 games with nine starts (seven at right tackle and two at left tackle).
Sparano Jr. served as the assistant offensive line coach for the New York Giants in 2022. He worked with a Giants offense that finished in the top 10 in the NFL in rushing yards per game (148.2 – fourth), first downs per game (20.7 – tied-seventh), red zone percentage (63.27 – seventh) and goal to go percentage (82.14 – sixth). Sparano Jr.'s unit helped pave the way for running back Saquon Barkley, who compiled 1,650 scrimmage yards (1,312 rushing, 338 receiving) and 10 touchdowns. Barkley ranked fourth in rushing yards and seventh in scrimmage yards. Quarterback Daniel Jones completed 317-of-472 passes for 3,205 yards with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions for a 92.5 passer rating. Jones' 67.2 completion percentage ranked sixth in the league. He also registered 708 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Among quarterbacks, Jones ranked fifth in rushing yards and tied for third in rushing touchdowns.
Sparano Jr. spent the 2021 season as assistant offensive line coach for the Carolina Panthers.
From 2017-20, he served as assistant offensive line coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2019, the offensive line helped pave the way for running back Leonard Fournette to set a career high with 1,674 scrimmage yards and quarterback Gardner Minshew II to set franchise records for passing yards (3,271, broken in 2021 by Trevor Lawrence's 3,641) and passing touchdowns (21) by a Jacksonville rookie. In 2017, Sparano Jr. helped the Jaguars advance to the AFC Championship Game. Jacksonville allowed only 24 sacks (tied for third fewest) and ranked in the top 10 in yards per game (365.9 – sixth), rushing yards per game (141.4 – first), first downs per game (20.8 – tied-seventh), fourth down percentage (76.92 – second), red zone percentage (64.0 – second), goal to go percentage (85.71 – first) and points per game (26.1 – fifth). Quarterback Blake Bortles threw for 3,687 yards and 21 touchdowns, while Fournette rushed for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns.
Prior to Jacksonville, Sparano Jr. was the tight ends coach for the Buffalo Bills from 2015-16. He worked with tight end Charles Clay, who produced two of the most productive seasons by a tight end in franchise history. In 2016, Clay registered a team-high 57 receptions for 552 yards and four touchdowns. It marked the second-most receptions by a tight end in single-season team history. In 2015, the tight ends helped block for a Bills rushing attack that led the NFL with 2,432 yards. Clay compiled 51 receptions for 528 yards and three touchdowns. His reception total was the fifth-most by a Buffalo tight end in a single season.
In 2014, Sparano Jr. was an offensive assistant for the New York Jets after serving as an intern for two seasons (2012-13) with the team.
He began his NFL career in 2011 as an offensive quality control coach with the Miami Dolphins, where his late father, Tony, was the team's head coach.
Prior to the NFL, Sparano Jr. spent one year (2010) in the United Football League with the Hartford Colonials as an assistant defensive line coach.
A three-year letterman at defensive end at the University at Albany, Sparano Jr. and his wife, Rebecca, have four children – Tony Jr., Gabriella, Mia and Gianna.
2010 | Hartford Colonials | Assistant Defensive Line
2011 | Miami Dolphins | Offensive Quality Control
2012-2013 | New York Jets | Intern
2014 | New York Jets | Offensive Assistant
2015-2016 | Buffalo Bills | Tight Ends
2017-2020 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Assistant Offensive Line
2021 | Carolina Panthers | Assistant Offensive Line
2022 | New York Giants | Assistant Offensive Line
2023-2025 | Indianapolis Colts | Offensive Line
