A legendary pro football coordinator who started his career in the Tri-Counties has died.
Ernie Zampese was an offensive coordinator with the San Diego Chargers, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Los Angeles Rams. He was the play caller when Troy Aikman, and the Cowboys won the Super Bowl in 1995.
Zampese started as an all-star football player at Santa Barbara High School in the 1950’s. In the 1960’s, he coached at Alan Hancock College in Santa Maria, and at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He spent a decade at San Diego State before beginning his pro coaching career.
There’s no word on the cause of death. It was announced by the Washington Commanders football team, which was the last place he worked. His son, Ken Zampese, is the team’s quarterback coach. Zampese was 86 years old.