The Patriots coaching staff is losing a legend as longtime assistant coach Dante Scarnecchia is retiring after 36 seasons in the NFL, 34 of them with the Patriots. That’s longer than most of the players and many of the fans of the team have even been alive.
Scarnecchia has always been regarded as one of the finest assistant coaches in the league and one who has been integral to the Patriots’ success, especially during the Belichick/Brady era of success.
Scarnecchia was first hired by the Patriots in 1982 and was on Ron Meyer’s staff. He joined Meyer in Indianapolis for two years in 1989-90 before returning to the Patriots in 1991.