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Longtime NFL offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese dies at 86

Longtime NFL coach Ernie Zampese has died. He was 86.

Zampese was the recent recipient of an inaugural Award of Excellence from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He spent 24 years as an NFL coach and was known for building impressive offenses.

He spent the bulk of his career serving as an offensive coordinator for the Rams and Cowboys. He won a Super Bowl with Dallas in 1995 and the team ranked in the top five in total offense in two of his four seasons. The Rams finished in the top 10 in passing yards in five of his seven seasons leading their offense.

Zampese also guided the Patriots’ offense in 1998 and 1999.

He worked with Don Coryell, recently named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023, in 1986 with the Chargers as well as John Robinson, Joe Gibbs, Barry Sanders and Pete Carroll during his career.

Zampese’s son, Ken Zampese, is the quarterbacks coach for the Washington Commanders.

(Photo: Barry Chin / The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

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