Former Raiders interim head coach Tony Sparano staying in Bay Area as 49ers tight ends coach

Raiders former interim head coach Tony Sparano may not have kept the head coaching position in Oakland, but he won't be going far. He has been hired as the tight ends coach across the bay in San Francisco as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Sparano has been an offensive line coach for many years in the NFL. It's the title he held with the Raiders up until Dennis Allen was fired week four of last season. But once upon a time, he was a tight ends coach.

Prior to being elevated to offensive line coach with the Dallas Cowboys in 2005, Sparano had spent four seasons in the NFL as a tight ends coach in Washington (2001), Jacksonville (2002), and Dallas (2003-04). He takes a step back now to coach tight ends again for the 49ers under new head coach Jim Tomsula.

Sparano replaces Eric Manginia who held the position the last two seasons in San Francisco. Mangini has been interviewing for defensive coordinator positions, including with the Raiders. That's Mangini's roots.

The 49ers were one of just three teams the Raiders beat last season. That loss was a big factor in them missing the playoffs and parting ways with Jim Harbaugh who left to become the head coach at the University of Michigan.

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