Sports

Dante Scarnecchia, Legendary Patriots Coach, Retiring: Reports

The 71-year-old offensive line coach has spent nearly four decades in New England.

Dante Scarnecchia is hanging it up after nearly four decades with the Patriots.
Dante Scarnecchia is hanging it up after nearly four decades with the Patriots. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Legendary offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia is retiring, according to multiple reports. Christian Fauria on WEEI was first to report the news.

Scarnecchia, 71, has been with the Patriots since 1982, save for a year in Indianapolis and a brief retirement in 2014. He is a five-time Super Bowl champion with New England and retires as one of the league's most revered positional coaches.

Fauria said the Patriots know who his replacement will be. Whoever it is will be part of a new-look Patriots coaching staff, with special teams/receivers coach Joe Judge leaving to become the new head coach of the New York Giants.

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Scarnecchia has long had the magic touch in the offensive line, though the unit struggled with some injuries and inconsistency this season. Guard Joe Thuney was named second-team All-Pro.

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