The Dante Scarnecchia Secret? - New England Patriots Forums

***Lloyd_Christmas*** · 05-15-2008, 08:33 AM

If you are like me, you have always wondered why past coaching shakeups have claimed many a casualty, but never seemed to affect Dante Scarnecchia.

I found this little tidbit quite interesting:

"Mr. Specter said Mr. Walsh also told him about games taped in between, when Mr. Walsh was a Patriots season-ticket holder and witnessed his successor, Steve Scarnecchia, engage in similar videotaping against the Steelers (September 2002 and October 2004) and Cowboys (November 2003)."

(Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/15/sp...ll&oref=slogin )

You have to wonder how long Steve Scarnechia has been involved in covert ops for the Pats and whether or not that had any affect on how Dante remained the one constant for the Patriots.

Not taking anything away from Dante, because he is a great coach. Also, I realize that video taping may not have occurred before BB arrival as HC, but there are other ways to spy.

Maybe there is nothing to this and I am overreacting, but it is a better explanation than Dante having pictures of Kraft posing naked with Marv Albert.

PonyExpress · 05-15-2008, 08:34 AM

The Steeler game was on the road. I'm not sure how his season ticket migrated to Heinz Field.

rsd · 05-15-2008, 08:35 AM

I'm going with the SANE answer of him being a good coach

BSR · 05-15-2008, 08:40 AM

Isn't Steve now with the Jets?

Palm Beach Pats Fan · 05-15-2008, 08:45 AM

If you are running a business, do you chose to keep a high paid executive, regardless of his performance, just because his son does a decent job for minimum wage in the mailroom?

That seems preposterous to me.

You retain the executive if he does a good job and cannot easily be replaced.

FirstAndGoal · 05-15-2008, 08:51 AM

Could it possibly be because Dante Scarnecchia is one of the best in the business? Nah, it must be because he knows where the skeletons are buried.

If Dante was fired today, he would have a offers 1 hour later.

bradmahn · 05-15-2008, 08:58 AM

Anyone know how old Steve is?

It's pretty funny that he left the Pats (where he was Walsh's successor) to become the "video director" of the Jets.

It sure looks like the Jets were doing the exact same thing as the Patriots.

Fencer · 05-15-2008, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsd

I'm going with the SANE answer of him being a good coach

And one willing to work for less status/money than his abilities and track record earned.

It's how Monte Kiffin stays in Tampa Bay forever, and how Steve Belichick had a decades-long career at Navy. (OK, I think Belichick was also a tenured assistant professor, but the point still stands.)

signbabybrady · 05-15-2008, 09:21 AM

From what I hear Dante is a really nice guy and the main reason he has been able to Stay here so long is that he does not want to be a head coach and is a really good coach. I think most coaches and orginizations would love to have a guy like Dante who is completely commited to being the best position coach he can and not just trying to ascend the ranks.

But hey, a good conspiracy theory never hurt anyone.

***Lloyd_Christmas*** · 05-15-2008, 09:47 AM

Everyone seems to be jumping on the "He's a good coach" argument... which I do not refute.

But lot's of really good coaches get canned when there is a coaching turnover just because he is not the new HC's guy. Being a great coach is usually not enough.... Dante has stuck around... he's like the immovable object.

I'm glad for it, but I can't help but notice that Steve was Walsh's successor. I didn't realize he was with that Jets now.... Ha! That is even more juicy!