 After one year as the team's offensive line coach, Sparano served five seasons as the Terriers' offensive coordinator.Sparano was named New Haven's head coach in 1994, and led the Chargers to two playoff appearances in five seasons.In 1997, New Haven led Division II in offense (42.8 points per game) and finished second in defense (11.6 points allowed per game) en route to a 12–2 record, losing to Northern Colorado in the championship game.