Recently retired Dante Scarnecchia still helping Patriots at combine
By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
Retirement? What retirement?
Former Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia, who announced his retirementĀ last month, is heading with the team to Indianapolis to help with combine evaluations.
Having ‘Scar’ at the combine should be a big boost for the Patriots. The team has yet to name a new offensive line coach, while the position will likely be a key focus for them in the draft. Starting left guard Joe Thuney is projected to go to the highest bidder once free agency opens, right tackle Marcus Cannon will be 32 years old at the start of training camp and is on the back end of his contract, and center David Andrews’ status remains unknown after a medical issue held him out last season.
Scarnecchia worked with the Patriots in the offseason after his first retirement in 2013 as well. That year, he helped the team identify center Bryan Stork who went on to become the starter for the 2014 championship season.
With 34 years in the Patriots organization on his resume, Scarnecchia doesn’t appear to be ready to walk away cold turkey. Any chance the Patriots have to keep him around they should take advantage of. He’s been one of if not the best positional coach in football for at least the last decade. Getting his input can only make the team better.
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Hate mail? Let him hear it on TwitterĀ @RealAlexBarthĀ or via email atĀ [email protected].