Tony Sparano, the West Haven native who rose from Lee High in New Haven to a head coaching job in the NFL, died unexpectedly Sunday.

Sparano, who was 56, was about to start his third season as offensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings, which reported the news of his death. He began his NFL coaching career in 1999 and served as head coach of the Miami Dolphins for nearly four seasons.

In 2014, Sparano served as interim head coach of the Oakland Raiders. He was also an assistant with the Browns, Redskins, Jaguars, Cowboys, Jets and 49ers during his NFL career.

But Sparano made a name for himself in his hometown, leading his alma mater to the Division II national title game in 1997. He was head coach at UNH for five seasons before embarking on an NFL career.

News of his death was met with shock and sadness in his home state and throughout the NFL. New Haven athletic director Chris Palmer, who mentored Sparano at UNH and Boston University and eventually brought him to the NFL, told Hearst Connecticut Media sports columnist Jeff Jacobs, “We lost a good man.”

Chargers football coach Chris Pincince tweeted, “It is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge the passing of Coach Tony Sparano. New Haven Alum and Hall of Famer. Riders of the Night!!”

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said in a statement, “I love Tony Sparano. He was a great teacher, a grinder of a worker and had a toughness and fighting spirit that showed in our linemen. He was a great husband, father and grandfather and a great friend to me. This is just sinking in for us, but Tony will be sorely missed by all.”

Born Oct. 7, 1961 in West Haven, Sparano attended UNH 1979-81. He was the starting center at UNH and was part of an undefeated team in 1979.

Photo: Associated Pres File Photo Photo: Hearst Connecticut Media File Photo Photo: Ben Margot / Associated Press Photo: Reuters Photo: Jared Lazarus / MCT

Sparano’s coaching career began at his alma mater in 1984, and he spent four seasons at UNH before moving to Boston University in 1988. He was offensive line coach for two seasons and offensive coordinator for four years at BU before returning to UNH as head coach in 1994.

His five years as UNH head coach included a 9-0-1 regular season in 1995 and a 9-1 record in 1997, when the Chargers advanced to the Division II national title game.

Sparano left UNH for the a position with the Cleveland Browns in 1999. The Browns were coached by Palmer, who developed a deep relationship with Sparano at UNH and BU.

After two seasons in Cleveland, Sparano moved to Washington and Jacksonville before spending five seasons in Dallas. He became the Dolphins season coach in 2008 and was 29-32 in three-plus seasons.

It was Dolphins executive vice president Bill Parcells who hired Sparano after the two worked together in Dallas. Sparano inherited a 1-15 team and produced an 11-5 record in his first season.

“Tony made an indelible impact on our team’s history and his toughness, grit and leadership were evident to everyone who had the chance to coach with or play for him.,” Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said in a statement. “On behalf of the entire Dolphins organization, we extend our most heartfelt condolences to his wife Jeanette and the entire Sparano family.”

Sparano is survived by his wife Jeanette, sons Tony and Andrew, daughter Ryan Leigh, and two grandchildren. Tony and Andrew played at the University of Albany and both went into coaching — Tony coached for Palmer with the UFL’s Hartford Colonials and is on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ staff, while Andy is coaching at Feather River Junior College in California.