Former Denver Broncos videographer Steve Scarnecchia, who illegally taped a six-minute portion of the San Francisco 49ers' Oct. 30 practice in London, has been hired by Syracuse University to take over video operations, the school announced Friday.
Scarnecchia replaces Erik Kunttu, who left to become the video coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts.
"I am 100 percent certain (Scarnecchia) is the right man for this job," Syracuse coach Doug Marrone told *The Post-Standard*. "Steve knows he made a mistake. He acknowledged his mistake and faced the consequences. I am convinced that he has learned his lesson. Steve is a Syracuse University graduate, and I am thrilled to have him back at his alma mater."
Scarnecchia earned his bachelor's degree in television, radio and film from Syracuse's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, graduating cum laude in 2000.
About one month after losing to the 49ers, 24-16 at Wembley Stadium, the Broncos informed the NFL that Scarnecchia filmed part of San Francisco's walk-through the day before the game. He presented the video that day to Broncos coach Josh McDaniels, who declined to view it.
McDaniels was cleared from the video-taping incident, but he and the Broncos each were fined $50,000 because the coach failed to report the incident, as required by NFL policy. McDaniels was fired Dec. 6, less than halfway through his four-year contract.
Scarnecchia and McDaniels previously worked for the New England Patriots, who were found to have videotaped New York Jets coaches sending in signals during a game in 2007.
The league's investigation determined New England had violated rules over several seasons. Scarnecchia, who was a Jets employee when the Patriots were penalized, worked for New England between 2001 and 2005. He was found to have participated in the Patriots' videotaping when he worked for the team in the early 2000s.
The NFL bans such videotaping and issued $750,000 in fines against the Patriots and coach Bill Belichick. The Patriots also were stripped of their 2008 first-round draft pick.
McDaniels, who worked in New England from 2001 to 2009, hired Scarnecchia in Denver shortly after becoming the Broncos' coach.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
