The New England Patriots already were at risk of losing legendary quarterback Tom Brady this offseason. It now appears that the Patriots are set to lose a legendary coach, with Dante Scarnecchia planning to retire.
According to Christian Fauria, a former Patriots tight end and WEEI radio host, the Patriots’ 71-year-old offensive line coach is retiring. NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry has confirmed the report, indicating New England will have a new coach to replace Scarnecchia next season.
It’s a crushing blow for Bill Belichick’s coaching staff. Scarnecchia retired following the 2013 season as the team’s assistant head coach and offensive line coach but returned in 2016. A five-time Super Bowl champion, he is widely viewed as one of the best position coaches in football.
New England’s offensive line dealt with plenty of injuries and inconsistency in 2019, leading to Brady facing even more pressure and being hit more often than prior seasons. The loss of Scarnecchia represents another blow for the team heading into the offseason and something they must address in the months to come.