PATRIOTS TO INDUCT SCARNECCHIA INTO HALL OF FAME

While the New England Patriots would probably prefer Dante Scarnecchia return to the sidelines to coach up their offensive line in front of Mac Jones for 2023, they’ll instead be honoring him for his long-tenured service for the organization as a vital coach, especially during the Tom Brady era.

Scarnecchia will go into the Patriots Hall of Fame as part of the 2023 Class, as a “contributor.” Only former players and head coaches are eligible for the normal nomination process. But Patriots owner Robert Kraft has decided to make Scarnecchia the fourth person to be added as “a lifelong contributor” to the franchise.

The other three are Patriots found- er Billy Sullivan (2009), former playby-play announcer Gil Santos (2012), and former cheerleading director Tracy Sormanti (2021).

“Dante Scarnecchia is recognized as one of the greatest assistant coaches of all time,” said Kraft in a statement on the team’s website. “He is the first Patriots assistant coach to receive this honor and I can’t think of a more deserving person. You would be hard pressed to find anyone who made greater on-field contributions over his 34 seasons with us, which propelled us to 10 of our 11 Super Bowl appearances and helped us claim five of our six Super Bowl championships. He earned the respect of his fellow coaches and players, many of whom credited Dante for making them the best they could be. I am proud that his legacy will be preserved in our Hall of Fame forever.”

Scarnecchia spent 34 of his 36 NFL seasons with the Patriots, in multiple stints. In his first stint — beginning in 1982 — he was the team’s special teams and tight ends coach. He then left to become the offensive line coach of the Indianapolis Colts in 1989, before returning to the Patriots’ organization in 1991.

He eventually became a legendary offensive line coach for New England, retiring after the 2013 season. But Scarnecchia was re-hired in 2016, and then retired again for good after the 2019 season.

Scarnecchia was part of 10 Super Bowl teams and five Super Bowl championships. He coached for 22 of the franchise’s 28 playoff seasons, including 48 of the organization’s 59 playoff games.

He’ll also be honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer, receiving an “Award of Excellence.”

“Well-deserved,” Bill Belichick told the media at the league meetings. “Yeah, Dante’s a great football coach. Obviously had a long, long history with the Patriots in multiple roles. But when I was here in ’96 with Bill [Parcells], it was Dante, Romeo [Crennel], Al [Groh] and I on the defensive staff. And that was three great people to work with. So I got to know him pretty well then, and then of course when I came back, he was coaching the offensive line, so I kept him as the offensive line coach.

“He made a huge impact on our team and me. Just a wonderful guy to work with on all levels. Hardworking, dedicated, unselfish, good fundamental coach. Understands offense, defense, kicking game. Very good teacher, detailed, tireless worker. Well-deserved.”