In the wake of Tony Sparano’s death, the Minnesota Vikings have named Clancy Barone and Andrew Janocko co-offensive line coaches.
Sparano was the offensive line until he died of heart disease last Sunday. Barone previously served as the tight ends coach. Replacing Barone as tight ends coach is Minnesota native Todd Downing, who was originally hired in February as a senior offensive assistant.
“Flip (Vikings Offensive Coordinator John DeFilippo) had a history with him. He’s an offensive coordinator, he had coached quarterbacks before,” Zimmer said of Downing. “And guys who have been through the war, I think, they’re not afraid to voice their opinion. They’ll come in here and they’ll give ideas and go to work.”
Minnesota was supposed to hold its first training camp practice with veteran players on Friday, but the session was cancelled to allow the team to attend Sparano’s memorial service in Wayzata.
Pall bearers at Sparano’s funeral were all linemen, Riley Reiff, Mike Remmers, Nick Easton, Pat Elflein, Rashad Hill, and Joe Berger, who retired after last season.
