Dolphins' Sparano receives contract extension
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Tony Sparano has accepted a two-year contract extension with the Miami Dolphins through 2013, ending a week of uncertainty about the team's coaching position.
Owner Stephen Ross announced the deal Saturday during an extraordinary 35-minute news conference to explain a bizarre week for the Dolphins.
Ross said he made mistakes in the way he dealt with the situation. He flew cross-country to court Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, who subsequently became the San Francisco 49ers' coach. Ross said he never made a job offer to Harbaugh.
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General manager Jeff Ireland agreed that the matter could have been handled better. Sparano said he endured a difficult week but was glad to receive an extension and ready to move on.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — A person with knowledge of the situation says Tony Sparano has accepted a two-year contract extension with the Miami Dolphins through 2013, ending a week of uncertainty about the team's coaching situation.
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The person spoke Saturday on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the team hadn't announced the deal. The person also said Sparano will be given a more expanded role in player personnel decisions.
The contract extension was first reported by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
The extension comes after the Dolphins' cross-country courtship of Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, who on Friday became the San Francisco 49ers' coach. While Sparano was in limbo this week, he reported to work daily.