Legendary Patriots Coach Receives Pro Football Hall of Fame Award

Former Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia has been recognized among the elites of his profession by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

FOXBORO — As current members of the New England Patriots enjoy a brief summer break, one former legendary coach is taking his rightful place among NFL history’s coaching elite. 

Longtime Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia was awarded the Pro Football Hall of Fame Awards of Excellence on Thursday during an awards luncheon in Canton. The 75-year-old was among 16 recipients, as well as one of only three assistant coaches to be — joining former San Francisco 49ers coach Sherman Lewis and ex-Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore.

The Awards of Excellence is a program, launched by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022, to honor those who made a positive impact on individual teams and the sport of professional football. Those eligible for the award include assistant coaches, athletic directors, equipment managers, film/video directors, and public relations personnel.

“Each recipient has dedicated decades of time to creating meaningful change for their respective field, their teams and the National Football League,” Hall of Fame President Jim Porter said.

Scarnecchia — a six-time Super-Bowl champion who had previously retired after the 2013 season and returned in 2016 — has rightfully earned his reputation as one of the Patriots most respected and revered coaches in franchise history. 

Throughout his 49-year tenure, Scarnecchia coached at his alma mater, California Western, and made stops at Iowa State, Pacific, Northern Arizona and Southern Methodist before joining Ron Meyer’s Patriots staff in 1982. He later spent two seasons as offensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts under Meyer, and landed back in New England under Dick MacPherson in 1991.

With the Patriots, Scarnecchia held the titles of special teams coach, tight ends coach, special assistant and defensive assistant. He’d be named offensive line coach in 1999, and remained in that capacity following Bill Belichick’s arrival as head coach at the start of the millennium. He was officially on Belichick’s staff for five Super Bowl winning teams, earning his sixth ring while serving as a consultant on the 2014 (Super Bowl XLIX) squad.

Accordingly, he will also become the fourth enshrinee to earn induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame as a contributor — joining former Patriots linebacker [and current Tennessee Titans head coach] Mike Vrabel. The pair will be inducted on Oct. 29 in a ceremony held at the Patriots Hall adjacent to Gillette Stadium. 

Shortly after his selection to the Pats Hall’s Class of 2023, team owner Robert Kraft praised the legendary Patriots coach as one of the "greatest assistant coaches of all time."

“

Dante Scarnecchia is recognized as one of the greatest assistant coaches of all time. 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

.” - Robert Kraft

The annual induction ceremony will be held on the Enel Plaza just outside the Patriots Hall of Fame presented by Raytheon Technologies. The outdoor ceremony is free and open to the public. Fans of all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend.

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