TAFT, CA – Past stories of glorified athletic teams from Taft College run deep. Coaches, players, fans, and "football gurus" are quite aware of the outstanding success of the Taft College Football Program from the 1960s all the way to the early 90s. The Football Program's success included number one rankings, not only in the state of California, but also in the country. So many talented and respected individuals have had the honor of being a participant in those shared Cougar Country experiences. But there is one particular alumnus who went on to be further glorified as a legend of his time.
His name is Dante Scarnecchia. Scarnecchia was an accomplished player who was part of the 1966 Taft College Football Team that upset an undefeated and national No. 1 team. As a starting center, Scarnecchia helped catapult the Cougars past No. 1 seeded Boise Junior College to earn a bid to the Wool Bowl where Taft College beat Cisco College (Texas), 21-19.
Part of Scarnecchia's success as a Taft College Football Player was being part of the team averaging 44 points per game. That success would follow him for the rest of his career into coaching collegiately and profoundly professionally. For 48 years, Scarnecchia lived his dream as a coach, 34 of those years being spent with the highly successful NFL franchise, the New England Patriots.
Scarnecchia worked on their coaching staff in many different roles and contributed to the Patriots' Super Bowl wins in 2000, 2003, 2004, 2016, and 2018, as well as 10 conference championships. He is the first assistant coach to be inducted into the Patriots' Hall of Fame.
Though he retired in 2020, Scarnecchia will always be remembered, not only as an instrumentally successful coach to the Patriots' five Super Bowl wins, but as a young teenage footballer who started his legendary career as a Taft College Cougar! You're welcome, New England (wink, wink)!
The California Community College Athletic Association will present Scarnecchia, among other elites, during their annual convention in Sacramento on March 27.