Former Cowboys assistant Joe Avezzano dead at 68

"  DALLAS (AP) Former Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe Avezzano, whosewild sideline antics made him a fan favorite when the Cowboys wonthree Super Bowls in the 1990s, died Thursday. He was 68.Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple confirmed that Avezzano died inItaly. He had moved to Milan earlier this year to coach an ItalianFootball League team, the Milan Seamen. That team said on itswebsite that Avezzano died of a heart attack. Attempts toresuscitate Avezzano were unsuccessful, the team said.Avezzano had a 12-year run with the Cowboys and became a popularfigure in North Texas. He was the Cowboys' special teams coach from1990 to 2002, prowling the sidelines as the team won Super Bowls in1993, `94 and `96. Avezzano was named the NFL's special teams coachof the year three times.Known affectionately in the Dallas area as ''Coach Joe,'' hemaintained a high profile after he left the Cowboys when BillParcells was hired as head coach in 2003.''There are not many days that go by where we are not sharing alegendary Joe Avezzano story or using a trademark Joe Avezzanoexpression,'' Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said. ''He was awonderful friend. We loved him very much, and he will be sorelymissed.''He spent two seasons as head coach of the Arena FootballLeague's Dallas Desperadoes, which were owned by the family ofCowboys owner Jerry Jones. He became a regular on Cowboys-relatedTV and radio shows in the Dallas market and opened a ''CoachJoe's'' restaurant in the area.''Joe Avezzano was a very special part of our Dallas Cowboysfamily and our organization's history,'' Jones said in a statementreleased by the team. ''No one enjoyed life more than Joe, and noone that I know had a greater appreciation for the people that heloved and the lives that he touched. There was no one else likehim.''Avezzano also coached special teams for the Oakland Raiders fortwo years under Norv Turner until Turner was fired after the 2005season. Avezzano and Turner were on the staff together inDallas.''Joe Avezzano was a great coach and a super guy,'' NFLspokesman Greg Aiello said. ''We are saddened by his loss.''In February, Avezzano took over the Seamen. Italians in Dallasthrew Avezzano a send-off party before he left, Dallas televisionstation WFAA reported.''I am the long lost heir to the throne,'' Avezzano joked,according to the station. ''They've been looking for me in Italyfor years. Now they've found me and I'm going back and I willreturn to Avezzano. And that's going to be part of mytravels.''---Associated Press Writer Frances D'Emilio in Rome contributed tothis report."