Bill Belichick, Iconic NFL Coach, Departs New England Patriots After Historic 24 Seasons and Six Super Bowl Triumphs
Legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick is set to depart the New England Patriots after an illustrious 24-season tenure, during which he secured a remarkable six Super Bowl titles Numerous reports confirm the end of an era for one of the greatest coaches in football history
Bill Belichick is reportedly departing from the New England Patriots after 24 seasons and leading the team to six Super Bowl victories, as per multiple sources. According to The Athletic, who spoke with unnamed team insiders, it is anticipated that Belichick will not be returning.
According to the NFL Network, sources have revealed that the Patriots and Belichick have agreed mutually that he will not return. ESPN, also citing unnamed sources, has reported that the Patriots and Belichick are expected to part ways on Thursday.
CNN has contacted the Patriots for a statement. New England has confirmed that team owner Robert Kraft and Belichick will speak to the media at noon ET.
The departure marks the end of one of the most remarkable head coaching tenures in NFL history, during which Belichick transformed the fortunes of the Patriots organization.
Teamed up with legendary quarterback Tom Brady, Belichick turned the Patriots into a dominant force in the league, regularly reaching the playoffs and competing for the Vince Lombardi Trophy, setting the standard for other teams.
However, after Brady left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019, the team has faced challenges in both the regular season and playoffs, ending with a disappointing 4-13 record this past season.
Belichick leaves the team with a 266-120 regular-season record and going 30-12 in the playoffs, according to NFL.com.
Belichick walks on the sidelines during the Patriots' game against the Buffalo Bills.
Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe/Getty Images
The greatest ever?
Belichicks journey from learning under his father at the Naval Academy football team and his days as an assistant coach around the league is one of legend now.
During his time as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants, Bill Belichick learned under head coach Bill Parcells. Their successful partnership resulted in two Super Bowl titles and was later immortalized in an ESPN 30 for 30 special called The Two Bills. Belichick then went on to become the head coach of the Cleveland Browns at the age of 38, before the franchise's controversial move to Baltimore led to his departure.
He reunited with Parcells at the New York Jets before becoming the head coach of the Patriots after just one day at the Jets, following a memorable press conference in NFL history. Belichick's time with the Patriots got off to a great start when he selected Brady in his first draft, choosing the unheralded prospect with the 199th pick of the 2000 NFL Draft from the University of Michigan.
Over the next two decades, their leadership turned the Patriots into an unstoppable force, with Belichick and Bradys' determination keeping New England at the forefront. Belichick holds the record for most Super Bowl titles won by a head coach in NFL history, with six championships under his belt. Additionally, he ranks second in total victories as a head coach with 333 wins, and holds the record for most playoff wins by a head coach with 31 victories.
Belichick and Brady celebrate after the Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams at Super Bowl LIII.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
But more than that, his fingerprints are all over the league.
NFL head coach Brian Daboll has ties to Belichick, as do others in the sport such as Mike Vrabel, Matt Patricia, Brian Flores, Joe Judge, Josh McDaniels, Nick Saban, Romeo Crennel, and Eric Mangini. The peak of the Belichick-Brady partnership culminated in 2007 when the Patriots achieved a historic undefeated 16-0 regular season record.
Brady led the team to an NFL-best 36.8 points per game with superstar receiver Randy Moss. Coupled with a strong defense, New England was unstoppable. Despite this, they suffered a shocking 17-14 loss to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl, cementing David Tyree's "Helmet Catch" in NFL history.
Despite the dramatic upset, the Patriots juggernaut continued unabated. Belichick's remarkable talent for turning underrated players into stars and cutting ties with those on the decline became both legendary and essential in maintaining the team's status as Super Bowl contenders.
Repeatedly questioned about his future with the Patriots, Belichick always responded with his characteristic deadpan humor.
The 71-year-old dismissed rumors about his future as the team's head coach, stating on Monday that it was "way too early" to make any decision.
Fans show their support towards Belichick during the first half of the Patriots' game against the New York Jets on Sunday, January 7, 2024.
Michael Dwyer/AP
On Monday, he also confirmed plans to meet with owner Robert Kraft in the near future to talk about the team's direction. Belichick's decision to leave the Patriots comes just one day after Saban, who previously worked as Belichick's defensive coordinator with the Browns, announced his retirement as the Alabama football coach after four seasons.
Belichick's stern demeanor and his six titles in Massachusetts arguably make him the greatest NFL head coach of all time. This story has been revised with new details.
