After letting go of offensive line coach Dave DuGuglielmo following his unit’s disastrous performance in the AFC title game, the Patriots could be bringing back a coaching legend: Dante Scarnecchia. Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston reports:
Filed to ESPN: With opening for o-line coach, Patriots in discussions with retired Dante Scarnecchia about a return to the coaching staff.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) February 8, 2016
One person close to situation said discussions with Dante Scarnecchia far enough along to think there's a good chance he'll be back in 2016.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) February 8, 2016
Scarnecchia, 67, had coaching stints with the Patriots from 1982-1988 and 1991-2013. Even after retiring in the summer of 2014, his presence was still felt by the team as he helped New England in the pre-draft process. Reiss has not said what the capacity or role that Scarnecchia would return to, but any role would be a significant boost for the Patriots.
As the Patriots look to re-tool an offensive line that struggled throughout most of the second half of 2015, bringing back one of the greatest position coaches of all-time wouldn’t be such a bad thing.