Bill Belichick
Coaching Record
| Years Coached | Record | Win % | Playoff record | Playoff win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | 474-298-1 | 61.38% | 43-21 | 67.19% |
Coaching Tree
Parents:
Rick Forzano, Tommy Hudspeth, Ted Marchibroda, Red Miller, Bill Parcells, Ray Perkins
Children:
Romeo Crennel, Al Groh, Eric Mangini, Josh McDaniels, Nick Saban, Bill O'Brien, Matt Patricia, Brian Flores, Joe Judge, Brian Daboll, Jerod Mayo
Biography
Table of Contents
Career Summary
Bill Belichick was a football coach in the National Football League (NFL) from 1975 to 2023, finishing his career as the head coach of the New England Patriots. Over his forty-nine years of coaching his teams compiled a cumulative win/loss record of 474-298-1. During his career he was a head coach for twenty-nine seasons, first with the Cleveland Browns. He led the Browns for five seasons, compiling a record of 36-44-0. He was fired from the Browns on Wednesday, February 14, 1996. Belichick believed he would continue to lead the team in Baltimore, but was fired by the Ravens after the move was completed. His next head coaching stint was with the New England Patriots from 2000 to 2023, as he led the team to a 266-121-0 record. During his time leading the Patriots the team won the Super Bowl in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016, and 2018. He was fired from the Patriots on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. During his entire head coaching career, his two teams combined for a record of 302-165-0 across twenty-nine seasons including going 31-13-0 in the playoffs.
Coaching Style
Belichick began his career as a defensive coach, and over time has made his mark on all facets of the game. During his time with the Patriots, he has typically run a Fairbanks-Bullough 3-4 defense (three defensive lineman, four linebackers). This is a "two-gap" defense, relying on defensive lineman to tie up two blockers at the line of scrimmage. This allows the linebackers more freedom to move about and make plays. It is also a reason why many star defensive lineman for the Patriots (such as Vince Wilfork) did not accumulate some of the stats that other defensive lineman would accumulate. Over time, the Patriots have used more 4-3 and Nickel defenses to counter new offensive strategies emerging in the league.
Career Awards
Belichick won the NFL's Coach of the Year award three times throughout his career, most recently in 2010 after guiding the Patriots to a 14-2-0 record and a berth in the playoffs. During his time as defensive coordinator and head coach he coached five players to award-winning seasons. As the defensive coordinator for the Giants Lawrence Taylor won AP Defensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player. As the head coach for the Patriots Tom Brady won AP Offensive Player of the Year (2), Comeback Player of the Year, and Most Valuable Player (3); Rob Gronkowski won Comeback Player of the Year; Tedy Bruschi won Comeback Player of the Year; and Jerod Mayo won AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Bill Belichick Coaching Tree
Before he was a head coach, Belichick served as an assistant coach for Ted Marchibroda, Rick Forzano, Tommy Hudspeth, Red Miller, Ray Perkins, and Bill Parcells. Twelve of these years were spent on Parcells' coaching staff. During his time as head coach, eleven assistant coaches, (Nick Saban, Al Groh, Eric Mangini, Brian Daboll, Romeo Crennel, Josh McDaniels, Matt Patricia, Bill O'Brien, Brian Flores, Joe Judge, and Jerod Mayo) on his coaching staff were hired as head coaches across the league. His coaching tree has combined for a record of 221-313-2 in the regular season and 3-6 in the playoffs during their thirty-six seasons as head coach after serving on his coaching staffs.
Playing Career
Belichick played center and tight end while at college.
Personal Information
Belichick was born on Wednesday, April 16, 1952 in Nashville, Tennessee. He has three children with his ex-wife: Amanda, Stephen, and Brian. Both Stephen and Brian have since started their own NFL coaching careers, starting in the Patriots organization.
Table of Contents
Playing Career
Before Belichick began his coaching career, he was a multi-sport athlete at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. He played center and tight end for the football team, was captain of the lacrosse team during his senior year, and also played squash.
Coaching Career
Baltimore Colts
After graduation, Belichick accepted a staff assistant position in 1975 with the Baltimore Colts under head coach Ted Marchibroda. In Belichick’s first season in the NFL, the Colts finished the season 10-4, tied for first in the AFC East, losing in the Divisional round to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Detroit Lions
After only a single season with the Colts, Belichick was hired by the Detroit Lions in 1976 to help with their special teams. The following season, he added wide receiver and tight end coach to his responsibilities.
Denver Broncos
In 1978 Belichick accepted a position with the Denver Broncos to assist with special teams and assist defensive coordinator Joe Collier. The Broncos finished the season 10-6 and first in the AFC West, losing in the playoffs to the Steelers.
New York Giants
In 1979, Belichick was hired by the New York Giants by new head coach Ray Perkins as their special teams coach. During the first four seasons under Perkins, the Giants went 23-34 with a single playoff appearance. After the 1982 season, Perkins stepped down as head coach to accept the head coaching position at the University of Alabama.
In the 1983 season, Belichick was promoted to linebackers coach to replace Bill Parcells who became the new head coach. In 1985, he was promoted again to defensive coordinator. During Belichick’s tenure under Parcells, the Giants won two Super Bowls (1986,1990) and made the playoffs three other seasons. The 1986 Giants is considered one of the greatest NFL teams ever with a defensive unit led by MVP linebacker Lawrence Taylor. Following the 1990 Super Bowl victory, Belichick accepted his first head coaching position.
Cleveland Browns
In 1991, Belichick was hired by the Cleveland Browns as their head coach. The Browns were coming off a 3-13 season, worst in franchise history. In Belichick’s first season as coach, the team improved to 6-10. The Browns continued to improve throughout his tenure, peaking at 11-5 in 1994 with their first playoff victory since 1989. During the 1995 season, the Browns owner Art Modell announced the team would be moving to Baltimore. That year, the team stumbled to a 5-11 finish and Belichick was fired at the conclusion of the season.
First Patriots Stint
After he was fired from the Browns, Belichick was hired by the New England Patriots in 1996 as the team’s assistant head coach and secondary coach under head coach Parcells. During his sole season as a Patriots assistant, the team went 11-5 and made an appearance in the Super Bowl, eventually losing to the Green Bay Packers 35-21.
New York Jets
In 1997, Belichick was originally selected as the head coach of the New York Jets when the team couldn’t hire Parcells. However, when the Patriots to let Parcells out of his contract, Parcells was named the Jets’ head coach for the 1997 season. This made Belichick once again the team’s assistant head coach and secondary coach. Written into Belichick’s contract was a clause that dictated Belichick would be the head coach after Parcells.
In 1998, during Belichick’s tenure with the Jets, the team won their division, their first divisional title since their Super Bowl victory in 1969. Following the 1999 season, Parcells stepped down and Belichick became the Jets’ new head coach. However, immediately before his introductory press conference, and after only a single day of being the team’s head coach, Belichick resigned.
Patriots Head Coach
After he stepped down from the Jets, Belichick was hired by the Patriots as the team’s new head coach. The Patriots went 5-11 in his first season as the head coach, but success soon followed. Between 2001 and 2004, the team won three Super Bowls and set numerous records in most league categories. The teams in 2003 and 2004 set a record for 21 consecutive victories (including playoffs), and their combined record of 34-4 set the record for most wins in two years.
The 2007 Patriots is considered one of the best teams in NFL history, despite losing in the Super Bowl. The team started the season 18-0 behind record-breaking performances by quarterback Tom Brady (50 touchdown passes in a year) and wide receiver Randy Moss (23 touchdown receptions in a year). However, the team lost to the Giants 17-14 in the big game.
Despite the continued success in the regular season, the Patriots failed to advance in the playoffs until 2011, when they once again lost to the Giants in the Super Bowl, 21-17. The Patriots proceeded to reel off seven straight AFC championships while winning 3 of 4 more Super Bowl appearances.
History
| Year | Position | Record | Playoff record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 4-13-0 | 0-0 |
| 2022 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 8-9-0 | 0-0 |
| 2021 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 10-7-0 | 0-1 |
| 2020 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 7-9-0 | 0-0 |
| 2019 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 12-4-0 | 0-1 |
| 2018 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 11-5-0 | 3-0 |
| 2017 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 13-3-0 | 2-1 |
| 2016 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 14-2-0 | 3-0 |
| 2015 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 12-4-0 | 1-1 |
| 2014 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 12-4-0 | 3-0 |
| 2013 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 12-4-0 | 1-1 |
| 2012 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 12-4-0 | 1-1 |
| 2011 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 13-3-0 | 2-1 |
| 2010 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 14-2-0 | 0-1 |
| 2009 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 10-6-0 | 0-1 |
| 2008 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 11-5-0 | 0-0 |
| 2007 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 16-0-0 | 2-1 |
| 2006 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 12-4-0 | 2-1 |
| 2005 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 10-6-0 | 1-1 |
| 2004 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 14-2-0 | 3-0 |
| 2003 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 14-2-0 | 3-0 |
| 2002 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 9-7-0 | 0-0 |
| 2001 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 11-5-0 | 3-0 |
| 2000 New England Patriots | Head Coach | 5-11-0 | 0-0 |
| 1999 New York Jets | Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Backs Coach | 8-8-0 | 0-0 |
| 1998 New York Jets | Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Backs Coach | 12-4-0 | 1-1 |
| 1997 New York Jets | Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Backs Coach | 9-7-0 | 0-0 |
| 1996 New England Patriots | Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Backs Coach | 11-5-0 | 2-1 |
| 1995 Cleveland Browns | Head Coach | 5-11-0 | 0-0 |
| 1994 Cleveland Browns | Head Coach | 11-5-0 | 1-1 |
| 1993 Cleveland Browns | Head Coach | 7-9-0 | 0-0 |
| 1992 Cleveland Browns | Head Coach | 7-9-0 | 0-0 |
| 1991 Cleveland Browns | Head Coach | 6-10-0 | 0-0 |
| 1990 New York Giants | Defensive Coordinator / Secondary Coach | 13-3-0 | 3-0 |
| 1989 New York Giants | Defensive Coordinator / Secondary Coach | 12-4-0 | 0-1 |
| 1988 New York Giants | Defensive Coordinator | 10-6-0 | 0-0 |
| 1987 New York Giants | Defensive Coordinator | 6-9-0 | 0-0 |
| 1986 New York Giants | Defensive Coordinator | 14-2-0 | 3-0 |
| 1985 New York Giants | Defensive Coordinator | 10-6-0 | 1-1 |
| 1984 New York Giants | Linebackers Coach | 9-7-0 | 1-1 |
| 1983 New York Giants | Linebackers Coach | 3-12-1 | 0-0 |
| 1982 New York Giants | Assistant Linebackers Coach / Special Teams Coach | 4-5-0 | 0-0 |
| 1981 New York Giants | Assistant Linebackers Coach / Special Teams Coach | 9-7-0 | 1-1 |
| 1980 New York Giants | Special Teams Coach | 4-12-0 | 0-0 |
| 1979 New York Giants | Special Teams Coach | 6-10-0 | 0-0 |
| 1978 Denver Broncos | Defensive Assistant Coach / Special Teams Assistant Coach | 10-6-0 | 0-1 |
| 1977 Detroit Lions | Wide Receivers Coach / Tight Ends Coach / Special Teams Assistant Coach | 6-8-0 | 0-0 |
| 1976 Detroit Lions | Special Teams Assistant Coach | 6-8-0 | 0-0 |
| 1975 Baltimore Colts | Staff Assistant | 10-4-0 | 0-1 |
Coach history guide
| Seasons with a championship win | Seasons with a conference championship |
Coach facts
- Head coach of the only 16-0 Regular Season (2007)
- Only Coach to win 3 Super Bowls in 4 years
- Most Consecutive Playoff Victories (10)
- Most Consecutive Victories (21)
- Years as head coach: 29
- Years as a coordinator: 6
- Championships won: 1986, 1990, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016, and 2018
- Conference Championships won: 1986, 1990, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018
- Coach of the Year: 2003, 2007, 2010
- Led the league in wins: 1986, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2017
- First in total wins for the New England Patriots.
- First in winning percentage for the New England Patriots.
- Third in total wins in NFL history.
- Most playoff wins in New England Patriots history (30)
- Past teams coached for: New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Colts
- College Attended: Wesleyan Cardinals
- Positions Played: Center and Tight End
- Family Members: Steve Belichick, Son and Brian Belichick, Son
- Date of Birth: Wednesday, April 16, 1952 (72 years old), Nashville, Tennessee
- Belichick's salary is estimated at more than $12.5 million a year
- Bill Belichick has amassed one of the largest collections of football books in the world, behind the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the USA Library of Congress.
- Bill Belichick started to break down game film with his father at the age of 10.
- Bill Belichick is the only man in NFL history to serve 20 or more seasons as an assistant coach and at least 15 seasons as a head coach.
- Bill Belichick is the only coach for 20+ years as an assistant coach and 20+ years as a head coach.