Scarnecchia attended Taft Junior College before transferring to California Western University in 1966, where he played football as an offensive lineman and earned a degree in physical education, while also serving as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

Scarnecchia returned to the Patriots in 1991, where he spent two seasons under Dick MacPherson again as a special teams and offensive line coach.

In 1992, Scarnecchia held the responsibilities of head coach while MacPherson was ill for the final eight games of the season.

In Carroll's final season with the Patriots, Scarnecchia was reassigned to offensive line coach.

[5] Scarnecchia subsequently rejoined the Patriots staff prior to the 2016 season, overseeing a resurgent offensive line that only allowed 16 sacks.

[6] On February 5, 2017, Scarnecchia was part of the Patriots coaching staff that won Super Bowl LI.