College and Professional Football Coach. As the special teams coach under Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer with the Dallas Cowboys, with whom he became known for his often animated prowling of the sidelines, he played a significant role in their capturing of three Super Bowl titles (XXVII in 1993, XXVIII in 1994 and XXX in 1996). Raised in Florida where he attended Andrew Jackson High School, he played collegiate football (center position) at Florida State University. He was accomplished enough to be drafted by the Boston Patriots of the American Football League in 1966 and played in 3 games with them during that season. His lengthy coaching career began at the high school level in Ohio followed by assistant stints with Florida State University (1968) and Iowa State University (1969 to 1972). During his years as offensive lines coach at the University of Pittsburgh (1973 to 1976 under Hall of Fame coach Johnny Majors), he helped direct the Panthers' which included Heisman Trophy winner Tony Dorsett to the National Championship in 1976. From 1977 to 1979, he served as offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee and was head coach at Oregon State University for five seasons (1980 to 1984). After a period at Texas A&M, Avezzano joined the NFL ranks and during his tenure with Dallas (1990 to 2002), he instituted one of the most effective special teams units of the 1990s. He later served with the Oakland Raiders under Norv Turner and was head coach of the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League. He suffered a fatal heart attack in Italy, where he was serving as head coach of the Milano team.
College and Professional Football Coach. As the special teams coach under Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer with the Dallas Cowboys, with whom he became known for his often animated prowling of the sidelines, he played a significant role in their capturing of three Super Bowl titles (XXVII in 1993, XXVIII in 1994 and XXX in 1996). Raised in Florida where he attended Andrew Jackson High School, he played collegiate football (center position) at Florida State University. He was accomplished enough to be drafted by the Boston Patriots of the American Football League in 1966 and played in 3 games with them during that season. His lengthy coaching career began at the high school level in Ohio followed by assistant stints with Florida State University (1968) and Iowa State University (1969 to 1972). During his years as offensive lines coach at the University of Pittsburgh (1973 to 1976 under Hall of Fame coach Johnny Majors), he helped direct the Panthers' which included Heisman Trophy winner Tony Dorsett to the National Championship in 1976. From 1977 to 1979, he served as offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee and was head coach at Oregon State University for five seasons (1980 to 1984). After a period at Texas A&M, Avezzano joined the NFL ranks and during his tenure with Dallas (1990 to 2002), he instituted one of the most effective special teams units of the 1990s. He later served with the Oakland Raiders under Norv Turner and was head coach of the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League. He suffered a fatal heart attack in Italy, where he was serving as head coach of the Milano team.
Bio by: C.S.
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