Report: Dante Scarnecchia Temporarily Re-Joins Patriots Through End of NFL Draft

In hopes of being as prepared as possible for the 2015 NFL Draft, the Patriots have reportedly brought back a familiar face.

Former Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia has returned to work with the team temporarily through the 2015 NFL Draft, according to the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe, citing an unnamed source. Scarnecchia is in Indianapolis with the Patriots for the NFL Scouting Combine, and will reportedly remain with the team as an advisor through the conclusion of the draft on May 2.

Several Patriots reporters took note of Scarnecchia’s presence on their flight to Indianapolis on Tuesday, and it now appears his attendance was no mere coincidence.

Dante Scarnecchia is on our flight to Indy. Wonder if he’s going to help the #Patriots sort through the OL prospects

— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) February 17, 2015

#Patriots coaching legend Dante Scarnecchia on the flight with the PFW/Patriots.com crew to Indy.

— Andy Hart (@JumboHart) February 17, 2015

Dante Scarnecchia on his way to Indy. He helped with last year’s evaluation of Bryan Stork. Useful again this year.

— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) February 17, 2015

Scarnecchia worked with the Patriots for 30 of his 32 total years in the NFL, serving as the team’s offensive line coach for 15 seasons before retiring in January 2014, coaching in all of the team’s first seven Super Bowl appearances.

Dave DeGuglielmo took over the reins of the offensive line in 2014, and after a rocky start, the O-line combination of center Bryan Stork, guards Dan Connolly and Ryan Wendell, and tackles Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer became a major part of the Patriots’ first Super Bowl championship in a decade.