The Dolphins have ended speculation about head coach Tony Sparano's future by handing him a new two-year deal.
Owner admits mistakes over flirtation with Harbaugh
The Miami Dolphins have handed head coach Tony Sparano a new two-year contract, ending a week of speculation over his future.
Sparano's job had been in doubt after the Dolphins lost their last three games to miss out on the play-offs with a 7-9 record.
Miami owner Stephen Ross acknowledged that he had subsequently met up with Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh.
But Ross, who said the meeting had caused Sparano "anguish", denied he had offered the Dolphins job to Harbaugh, who has since been
appointed head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
"It never got to that," said Ross. "We realised we had the right man in Tony."
Naive
Ross admitted he may have been "naive" over the past week before adding that he did not expect his meeting with Harbaugh, widely regarded as the hottest coaching property in college football, to make waves.
"I never thought it would be national news. I should have probably let Tony know. That was a mistake on my part," said the owner.
"I shouldn't have been talking to coaches until I decided I should make a change."
Sparano led Miami to the AFC East title in 2008, his first year as an NFL coach.
He has a three-year record of 25-23 with the Dolphins, who have not won a play-off game since 2000.
