Former Cowboys Coach Joe Avezzano, 68, Dies Of Heart Attack

Joe Avezzano, former special teams coach for the Dallas Cowboys, died today at the age of 68, according to the Associated Press.

Avezzano died in Italy, where he had moved earlier this year to coach an Italian Football League team, the Milan Seamen. The coach suffered a heart attack, and attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

Avezzano was the Cowboys' special teams coach from 1990 to 2002, helping lead the team to three Super Bowl victories during his tenure. His lively, animated coaching style made him a fan favorite in North Texas. He left the Cowboys' staff when Bill Parcells was hired as head coach in 2003.