Dante

Scarnecchia

Scarnecchia retired (again) after 48 years in coaching, including 34 with the Patriots. But even in retirement he helped evaluate college prospects for the team. It has been an offseason of change in New England, which has pushed Scarnecchia’s end of tenure down the ladder of discussed topics. It could prove to be significant, and if position coaches are ever voted into the Hall of Fame, Scarnecchia should top the list.

A Patriots assistant since 1991, Scarnecchia first retired following the 2013 season. He then returned in 2016. The legendary position coach turns 72 in February. Something of a not-so-secret weapon during Bill Belichick’s dynasty, Scarnecchia will be a difficult man to replace.

Scarnecchia was lured back to the sidelines this season after two years in retirement, and he immediately paid dividends, improving the line as a whole and coaxing a career year out of RT Marcus Cannon. Scarnecchia will turn 69 in February, but he will be allowed to roam the sidelines in New England as long as he wants.

Scarnecchia had the same job from 1999-2013, but retired. He’s been coaxed back into the fold after Dave DeGuglielmo was fired following an abysmal 2015 performance by the Pats’ line. Scarnecchia just turned 68 on Sunday. He should go a long way toward fixing what was one of the league’s worst front fives in 2015.