National Football League

Dolphins fire special teams coach

Published Oct. 5, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

After suffering through more than one special teams gaffe during Monday night’s loss to the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano did something about it on Tuesday morning. He fired special teams coach John Bonamego, whom Sparano hired when he became Miami’s head coach.

Bonamego, who joined Miami in January 2008, will be replaced by assistant special teams coach Darren Rizzi.

Rizzi, who joined the Dolphins in 2009, coached the special teams for six years at Rutgers, so he has plenty of experience.

Bonamego’s fate was sealed after Miami’s special teams gave up a 103-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a blocked punt which resulted in a 12-yard touchdown run by RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis. It also didn’t help that K Dan Carpenter had a 53-yard field goal attempt blocked.