Former Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator and longtime NFL coach Ernie Zampese passed away over the weekend. He was 86.
The Washington Commanders announced the death Monday without providing further details. Zampese’s son, Ken Zampese, is Washington’s current quarterbacks’ coach.
Zampese served as the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator from 1994-97, directing an offense that featured quarterback Troy Aikman, running back Emmitt Smith, and receiver Michael Irvin.
The Cowboys made it to two straight NFC Championship Games and won Super Bowl XXX with Zampese on the staff. During that Super Bowl-winning 1995 season, the Cowboys’ offense ranked third in the NFL, averaging 27.2 points per game.
Dallas has not made it back to the NFC Championship Game since 1995.
Zampese would leave the Cowboys to become the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots for two seasons. He ended his career with four seasons as a consultant, including returning for two seasons in Dallas (2000-2001) and one each with the St. Louis Rams (2002) and Washington (2004).
Zampese started his coaching career as an assistant at Cal Poly in 1966 before spending a decade at San Diego State. He broke into the NFL as a scout with the New York Jets in 1977.
Zampese joined Don Coryell’s San Diego Chargers’ staff in 1979, starting an eight-year run during which quarterback Dan Fouts and the Chargers led the NFL in yards passing six times.
After four years as the receivers coach on Coryell’s staff, Zampese was promoted to the assistant head coach in charge of the passing game for three seasons, then offensive coordinator for one.
The Chargers made the playoffs the first four years with Zampese on the staff, reaching the AFC championship game twice. He left the Chargers to serve seven seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams before joining the Cowboys.
Zampese coached many Hall of Famers throughout his career, including Fouts, Aikman, Smith, and Irvin. A pair of Chargers pass-catchers, receiver Charlie Joiner and tight end Kellen Winslow, also made the Hall of Fame after playing much of their careers under the guidance of Zampese.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame gave Zampese an excellence award this summer.
“Ernie Zampese was one of the brightest offensive minds in the history of the game,” Aikman wrote on Instagram with a picture of Zampese and him at a practice. “Many of his offensive concepts are still being used to this day.”
In a statement from the Cowboys on Monday, the organization said:
“He was a friend, mentor, leader and difference maker in many ways to many people. Our deepest sympathies go out to the Zampese family.”
