Upcoming Event: Football at Tulane on September 13, 2025 at 8 p.m.
/
8 p.m.
Football
at Tulane
Football
Sparber, Zach
Zach Sparber
- Title:
- Analyst/Defense
- Email:
- DukeFBRecruiting@duke.edu
- Phone:
- (919) 684-2635
Zach Sparber joined the Duke coaching staff in February 2021, and serves as an analyst working primarily with the linebackers. He was elevated to his current role after spending two seasons on staff as a defensive graduate assistant coach.
For the second consecutive season, Sparber worked with All-ACC linebacker Shaka Heyward, who closed his Duke career tied for eighth in program history in career fumble recoveries (five), 12th in career tackles for loss (32.5), 13th in career tackles (339), and tied for 14th in career sacks (11.5). Heyward represented Duke at the East-West Shrine Bowl, was invited to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine and signed a free agent contract with the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals in May 2023.
Additionally, Sparber helped develop Cam Dillon during his first year in Durham. Dillon finished fourth on the team in tackles with 61 and added 5.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, one fumble recovery and two forced fumbles.
In 2021, Sparber mentored Heyward to his first All-ACC honors after leading the team and ranking fifth in the ACC with 98 tackles.
Prior to arriving in Durham, Sparber spent three seasons (2018-20) as a graduate assistant coach at Virginia Tech, working under defensive coordinator Bud Foster. While with the Hokies, Sparber helped the program win 19 games and make two bowl game appearances at the 2018 Military Bowl and the 2019 Belk Bowl.
Before arriving in Blacksburg, Sparber spent the 2017 season as an offensive line coach, recruiting coordinator, assistant strength and conditioning coach at Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, N.J. During his one season with the program, the Crusaders finished with a record of 10-2, claimed the Group IV State Championship and were a top-25 team nationally, including a No. 1 ranking in the state of New Jersey. All five of Bergen Catholic’s offensive linemen went on to play college football, including all-state tackle Bryan Felter, who is currently Rutger’s starting guard.
In 2016, Sparber served as a defensive line coach at Stonehill College. While on staff, Sparber’s defensive unit led the Northeast-10 in fewest rushing yards allowed.
Sparber was a four-year letterwinner at Brown University, earning Second Team All-Ivy League honors as a senior. He was also awarded the Lawrence Rubida “Iron Man” Award and “Bill Perry” Defensive Lineman Award during his tenure as a Bear.
Sparber graduated from Brown in December 2015, with a degree in business entrepreneurship and organization. He also earned a master’s degree in education from Virginia Tech in 2020 and management studies from Duke in 2022.
Sparber is married to the former Alli Komrower.
For the second consecutive season, Sparber worked with All-ACC linebacker Shaka Heyward, who closed his Duke career tied for eighth in program history in career fumble recoveries (five), 12th in career tackles for loss (32.5), 13th in career tackles (339), and tied for 14th in career sacks (11.5). Heyward represented Duke at the East-West Shrine Bowl, was invited to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine and signed a free agent contract with the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals in May 2023.
Additionally, Sparber helped develop Cam Dillon during his first year in Durham. Dillon finished fourth on the team in tackles with 61 and added 5.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, one fumble recovery and two forced fumbles.
In 2021, Sparber mentored Heyward to his first All-ACC honors after leading the team and ranking fifth in the ACC with 98 tackles.
Prior to arriving in Durham, Sparber spent three seasons (2018-20) as a graduate assistant coach at Virginia Tech, working under defensive coordinator Bud Foster. While with the Hokies, Sparber helped the program win 19 games and make two bowl game appearances at the 2018 Military Bowl and the 2019 Belk Bowl.
Before arriving in Blacksburg, Sparber spent the 2017 season as an offensive line coach, recruiting coordinator, assistant strength and conditioning coach at Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, N.J. During his one season with the program, the Crusaders finished with a record of 10-2, claimed the Group IV State Championship and were a top-25 team nationally, including a No. 1 ranking in the state of New Jersey. All five of Bergen Catholic’s offensive linemen went on to play college football, including all-state tackle Bryan Felter, who is currently Rutger’s starting guard.
In 2016, Sparber served as a defensive line coach at Stonehill College. While on staff, Sparber’s defensive unit led the Northeast-10 in fewest rushing yards allowed.
Sparber was a four-year letterwinner at Brown University, earning Second Team All-Ivy League honors as a senior. He was also awarded the Lawrence Rubida “Iron Man” Award and “Bill Perry” Defensive Lineman Award during his tenure as a Bear.
Sparber graduated from Brown in December 2015, with a degree in business entrepreneurship and organization. He also earned a master’s degree in education from Virginia Tech in 2020 and management studies from Duke in 2022.
Sparber is married to the former Alli Komrower.
Darian Mensah Media Availability: Tulane
Tuesday, September 09
Josiah Green Media Availability: Tulane
Tuesday, September 09
Coach Patke Press Conference: Tulane
Monday, September 08
Coach Brewer Press Conference: Tulane
Monday, September 08
