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{{Infobox NFL biography {{Infobox NFL biography
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'''William Stephen Belichick''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɛ|l|ᵻ|tʃ|ɪ|k}}; born April 16, 1952) is an ] coach who is the head coach of the ] of the ] (NFL). Belichick has extensive authority over the Patriots' football operations, effectively making him the ] of the team as well. He was previously the head coach of the ].<ref name=patriotbio>{{cite web|title=Patriot's Biography of Mr. Bill Belichick|url=http://www.patriots.com/team/coaches/roster/bill-belichick |accessdate=July 5, 2016}}</ref> '''William Stephen Belichick''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɛ|l|ᵻ|tʃ|ɪ|k}}; born April 16, 1952) is an ] coach and convicted serial rapist who is the head coach of the ] of the ] (NFL). Belichick has extensive authority over the Patriots' football operations, effectively making him the ] of the team as well. He was previously the head coach of the ].<ref name=patriotbio>{{cite web|title=Patriot's Biography of Mr. Bill Belichick|url=/team/coaches/roster/bill-belichick |accessdate=July 5, 2016}}</ref>


Belichick's father, ], was a longtime college football scout and coach who worked for 34 years at the ]. Bill often studied football with his father, and has cited him as one of his greatest mentors. He went on to play football and lacrosse in high school and ], ], and ] at ], Middletown, Connecticut. He was captain of the lacrosse team in his senior year. Belichick's father, ], was a longtime college football scout and coach who worked for 34 years at the ]. Bill often studied football with his father, and has cited him as one of his greatest mentors. He went on to play football and lacrosse in high school and ], ], and ] at ], Middletown, Connecticut. He was captain of the lacrosse team in his senior year.
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Belichick began his coaching career in 1975, and by 1985, he was the ] for ] head coach, ]. Parcells and Belichick won two ]s together (] and ]), before Belichick left to become the head coach in Cleveland in 1991. He remained in Cleveland for five seasons, and was fired following the team's 1995 season. Belichick then rejoined Parcells, first in New England where the team lost ], and later with the ]. Belichick began his coaching career in 1975, and by 1985, he was the ] for ] head coach, ]. Parcells and Belichick won two ]s together (] and ]), before Belichick left to become the head coach in Cleveland in 1991. He remained in Cleveland for five seasons, and was fired following the team's 1995 season. Belichick then rejoined Parcells, first in New England where the team lost ], and later with the ].


After being named head coach of the Jets in early 2000, Belichick resigned after only one day on the job to accept the head coaching job for the New England Patriots on January 27, 2000. Belichick has led the Patriots to 14 ] division titles and 11 appearances in the ]. He was named the ] ] for the ], ], and ]s. Since then, he has coached the Patriots to seven Super Bowl appearances. His teams won Super Bowls ], ], ], ], and ] and lost Super Bowls ] and ]. Belichick's appearance in ] broke the tie of six Super Bowls as a head coach that was shared with ], as well as being a record tenth participation in a Super Bowl in any capacity, overtaking the tie of nine that he shared with ]. This also tied him with ] for the most Super Bowl wins in any capacity with seven.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.statisticbrain.com/players-coaches-with-the-most-super-bowl-rings/|title=Players / Coaches with the Most Super Bowl Rings|date=February 8, 2016|work=Statistic Brain|access-date=May 12, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> In addition, the appearance in Super Bowl LI was the Patriots' ninth Super Bowl appearance in franchise history, which is the most of any team. After being named head coach of the Jets in early 2000, Belichick resigned after only one day on the job to accept the head coaching job for the New England Patriots on January 27, 2000. Belichick has led the Patriots to 14 ] division titles and 11 appearances in the ]. He was named the ] ] for the ], ], and ]s. Since then, he has coached the Patriots to seven Super Bowl appearances. His teams won Super Bowls ], ], ], ], and ] and lost Super Bowls ] and ]. Belichick's appearance in ] broke the tie of six Super Bowls as a head coach that was shared with ], as well as being a record tenth participation in a Super Bowl in any capacity, overtaking the tie of nine that he shared with ]. This also tied him with ] for the most Super Bowl wins in any capacity with seven.<ref>{{Cite news|url=/players-coaches-with-the-most-super-bowl-rings/|title=Players / Coaches with the Most Super Bowl Rings|date=February 8, 2016|work=Statistic Brain|access-date=May 12, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> In addition, the appearance in Super Bowl LI was the Patriots' ninth Super Bowl appearance in franchise history, which is the most of any team.


Belichick is the NFL's longest-tenured active head coach, and currently ranks third all-time in ] at 271, and first in ] with 26<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/11/19/patriots-bill-belichick-tom-landry-nfl-all-time-wins-list/|title=Bill Belichick Passes Tom Landry On NFL’s All-Time Wins List|access-date=Nov 22, 2017}}</ref>. He completed his 40th season as an NFL coach in 2014 and won his fifth Super Bowl as a head coach following the ], surpassing former ] ] ] as the only head coach to win five Super Bowls. He is one of only five head coaches with four or more titles in NFL history. He is also the only head coach in NFL history to win three Super Bowl championships in a four-year span.<ref name=patriotbio/> Belichick is the NFL's longest-tenured active head coach, and currently ranks third all-time in ] at 271, and first in ] with 26<ref>{{Cite news|url=/2017/11/19/patriots-bill-belichick-tom-landry-nfl-all-time-wins-list/|title=Bill Belichick Passes Tom Landry On NFL’s All-Time Wins List|access-date=Nov 22, 2017}}</ref>. He completed his 40th season as an NFL coach in 2014 and won his fifth Super Bowl as a head coach following the ], surpassing former ] ] ] as the only head coach to win five Super Bowls. He is one of only five head coaches with four or more titles in NFL history. He is also the only head coach in NFL history to win three Super Bowl championships in a four-year span.<ref name=patriotbio%2525252F>
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==Early life== ==Early life==
Belichick was born in ],<ref>BBC Sport. February 1, 2015 </ref> the son of Jeannette (Munn) and ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2005/11/24/given_proper_naval_sendoff/?page=full |title=Given proper naval sendoff |work=boston.com | first=Dan|last=Shaughnessy|date=November 24, 2005}}</ref> He was raised in ],<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925061717/http://www.patriots.com/team/coaches/bill-belichick/5c49726a-15ad-4e5a-9246-a30417694eb0 |date=September 25, 2011 }}</ref> where his father was an assistant football coach at the ]. Belichick has cited his father as one of his most important football mentors, and Belichick often studied football with his father.<ref name=greatdefender>{{cite news|last1=Brown|first1=Chris B.|title=The Great Defender|url=http://grantland.com/features/new-england-patriots-bill-belichick-coaching-legacy-super-bowl-seattle-seahawks/|accessdate=February 3, 2015|publisher=Grantland|date=January 30, 2015}}</ref> He graduated from ] in 1970. While there, he played ] and ], with the latter being his favorite sport.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324190324/http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/spo/2008/02/03-33/Annapolis-XOXO-Bill-Belichick.html?ne=1 |date=March 24, 2012 }}</ref> He enrolled at ] in ], for a postgraduate year, with the intention of improving his grades and test scores to be admitted into a quality college.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=adams |last=Thompson|first=Wright|title= Who Is This Guy?|publisher=Sports.espn.go.com |date=September 25, 2004 |accessdate=May 27, 2012}}</ref> The school honored him 40 years later by inducting him into its Athletics Hall of Honor in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.andover.edu/Alumni/HallofHonor/Pages/PastRecipients.aspx |title=Athletics Hall of Honor Inductees – Phillips Academy |publisher=Andover.edu |date= |accessdate=May 27, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323203559/http://www.andover.edu/Alumni/HallofHonor/Pages/PastRecipients.aspx |archivedate=March 23, 2012 |df= }}</ref> Belichick was born in ],<ref>BBC Sport. February 1, 2015 </ref> the son of Jeannette (Munn) and ].<ref>{{cite news |url=/sports/football/patriots/articles/2005/11/24/given_proper_naval_sendoff/?page=full |title=Given proper naval sendoff |work=boston.com | first=Dan|last=Shaughnessy|date=November 24, 2005}}</ref> He was raised in ],<ref> {{webarchive|url=/web/20110925061717/http://www.patriots.com/team/coaches/bill-belichick/5c49726a-15ad-4e5a-9246-a30417694eb0 |date=September 25, 2011 }}</ref> where his father was an assistant football coach at the ]. Belichick has cited his father as one of his most important football mentors, and Belichick often studied football with his father.<ref name=greatdefender>{{cite news|last1=Brown|first1=Chris B.|title=The Great Defender|url=/features/new-england-patriots-bill-belichick-coaching-legacy-super-bowl-seattle-seahawks/|accessdate=February 3, 2015|publisher=Grantland|date=January 30, 2015}}</ref> He graduated from ] in 1970. While there, he played ] and ], with the latter being his favorite sport.<ref> {{webarchive |url=/web/20120324190324/http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/spo/2008/02/03-33/Annapolis-XOXO-Bill-Belichick.html?ne=1 |date=March 24, 2012 }}</ref> He enrolled at ] in ], for a postgraduate year, with the intention of improving his grades and test scores to be admitted into a quality college.<ref>{{cite web|url=/espn/eticket/story?page=adams |last=Thompson|first=Wright|title= Who Is This Guy?|publisher=Sports.espn.go.com |date=September 25, 2004 |accessdate=May 27, 2012}}</ref> The school honored him 40 years later by inducting him into its Athletics Hall of Honor in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=/Alumni/HallofHonor/Pages/PastRecipients.aspx |title=Athletics Hall of Honor Inductees – Phillips Academy |publisher=Andover.edu |date= |accessdate=May 27, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=/web/20120323203559/http://www.andover.edu/Alumni/HallofHonor/Pages/PastRecipients.aspx |archivedate=March 23, 2012 |df= }}</ref>


Belichick subsequently attended ] in Middletown, Connecticut, where he played center and tight end. In addition to being a member of the football team, he played ] and ], serving as the captain of the lacrosse team during his senior season. A member of ] fraternity,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wesleyanargus.com/2009/10/13/the-lost-brotherhood-the-tragic-history-of-chi-psi-at-wesleyan/ |last=Pottle|first=Justin|title=The Lost Brotherhood: the Tragic History of Chi Psi at Wesleyan|work=The Wesleyan Argus |date=October 13, 2009 |accessdate=May 27, 2012}}</ref> he earned a ] in ] in 1975.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.patriots.com/team/index.cfm?ac=coachbio&bio=506 |title=Bill Belichick, Head Coach (Official Biography) – New England Patriots |publisher=Patriots.com |date= |accessdate=May 27, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070602084910/http://www.patriots.com/team/index.cfm?ac=coachbio&bio=506 |archivedate=June 2, 2007 |df= }}</ref> He would eventually be part of the inaugural induction class into the university's Athletics Hall of Fame in spring 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wesleyan.edu/athletics/halloffame/inductee-information.html |title=Athletics Hall of Fame, Inductee Information – Wesleyan University |publisher=Wesleyan.edu |date= |accessdate=May 27, 2012}}</ref> Belichick subsequently attended ] in Middletown, Connecticut, where he played center and tight end. In addition to being a member of the football team, he played ] and ], serving as the captain of the lacrosse team during his senior season. A member of ] fraternity,<ref>{{cite web|url=/2009/10/13/the-lost-brotherhood-the-tragic-history-of-chi-psi-at-wesleyan/ |last=Pottle|first=Justin|title=The Lost Brotherhood: the Tragic History of Chi Psi at Wesleyan|work=The Wesleyan Argus |date=October 13, 2009 |accessdate=May 27, 2012}}</ref> he earned a ] in ] in 1975.<ref>{{cite web|url=/team/index.cfm?ac=coachbio&bio=506 |title=Bill Belichick, Head Coach (Official Biography) – New England Patriots |publisher=Patriots.com |date= |accessdate=May 27, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=/web/20070602084910/http://www.patriots.com/team/index.cfm?ac=coachbio&bio=506 |archivedate=June 2, 2007 |df= }}</ref> He would eventually be part of the inaugural induction class into the university's Athletics Hall of Fame in spring 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=/athletics/halloffame/inductee-information.html |title=Athletics Hall of Fame, Inductee Information – Wesleyan University |publisher=Wesleyan.edu |date= |accessdate=May 27, 2012}}</ref>


==Coaching career== ==Coaching career==


===Early coaching positions=== ===Early coaching positions===
After graduating, Belichick took a $25-per-week job as an assistant to ] head coach ] in ].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1688687 | title=Preparation leads Belichick to top | publisher=''ESPN.com'' | author=Jeff Reynolds | date=December 20, 2003}}</ref> In ], he joined the ] as their assistant special teams coach before adding ]s and ]s to his coaching duties in ]. He spent the ] with the ] as their assistant special teams coach and defensive assistant. After graduating, Belichick took a $25-per-week job as an assistant to ] head coach ] in ].<ref>{{cite web | url=/nfl/news/story?id=1688687 | title=Preparation leads Belichick to top | publisher=''ESPN.com'' | author=Jeff Reynolds | date=December 20, 2003}}</ref> In ], he joined the ] as their assistant special teams coach before adding ]s and ]s to his coaching duties in ]. He spent the ] with the ] as their assistant special teams coach and defensive assistant.


===New York Giants (1979–1990)=== ===New York Giants (1979–1990)===
In ], Belichick began a 12-year stint with the ] alongside head coach ] as a defensive assistant and special teams coach. He added ]s coaching to his duties in ] and was named defensive coordinator in ] under head coach ], who had replaced Perkins in 1983. The Giants won Super Bowls following the 1986 and 1990 seasons. His defensive game plan from the ]' 20–19 upset of the ] in ] is now in the ].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Vrentas|first1=Jenny|title=Bill Belichick's Super Bowl XXV Game Plan|url=http://mmqb.si.com/2014/05/14/nfl-history-in-95-objects-bill-belichick-super-xxv-game-plan/|publisher=The MMQB|accessdate=January 27, 2015|date=May 14, 2014}}</ref> In ], Belichick began a 12-year stint with the ] alongside head coach ] as a defensive assistant and special teams coach. He added ]s coaching to his duties in ] and was named defensive coordinator in ] under head coach ], who had replaced Perkins in 1983. The Giants won Super Bowls following the 1986 and 1990 seasons. His defensive game plan from the ]' 20–19 upset of the ] in ] is now in the ].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Vrentas|first1=Jenny|title=Bill Belichick's Super Bowl XXV Game Plan|url=/2014/05/14/nfl-history-in-95-objects-bill-belichick-super-xxv-game-plan/|publisher=The MMQB|accessdate=January 27, 2015|date=May 14, 2014}}</ref>


===Cleveland Browns (1991–1995)=== ===Cleveland Browns (1991–1995)===
From 1991 until 1995, Belichick was the head coach of the ]. During his tenure in Cleveland, he compiled a 36–44 record, leading the team to the playoffs in 1994, his only winning year with the team. Coincidentally, his one playoff victory during his Browns tenure was achieved against the Patriots in the wild card round during this postseason. In Belichick's last season in Cleveland the Browns finished 5–11, despite starting 3–1. One of his most controversial moves was cutting quarterback ] after the 1993 season. Kosar was subsequently signed by the ], helping lead them to victory in ]. In November 1995, in the middle of the ongoing football season, Browns owner ] had announced he would move his franchise to ] after the season. After first being given assurances that he would coach the transplanted ], Belichick was instead fired on February 14, 1996, one week after the shift was officially announced.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2202&dat=19960215&id=2xEmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yf0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=6697,1482003&hl=en|title=Modell fires Bill Belichick|newspaper=Gettysburg Times|date=February 15, 1996|page=B2}}</ref> From 1991 until 1995, Belichick was the head coach of the ]. During his tenure in Cleveland, he compiled a 36–44 record, leading the team to the playoffs in 1994, his only winning year with the team. Coincidentally, his one playoff victory during his Browns tenure was achieved against the Patriots in the wild card round during this postseason. In Belichick's last season in Cleveland the Browns finished 5–11, despite starting 3–1. One of his most controversial moves was cutting quarterback ] after the 1993 season. Kosar was subsequently signed by the ], helping lead them to victory in ]. In November 1995, in the middle of the ongoing football season, Browns owner ] had announced he would move his franchise to ] after the season. After first being given assurances that he would coach the transplanted ], Belichick was instead fired on February 14, 1996, one week after the shift was officially announced.<ref>{{cite news|url=/newspapers?nid=2202&dat=19960215&id=2xEmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yf0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=6697,1482003&hl=en|title=Modell fires Bill Belichick|newspaper=Gettysburg Times|date=February 15, 1996|page=B2}}</ref>


===New England Patriots (1996)=== ===New England Patriots (1996)===
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Belichick had two different stints as the head coach of the New York Jets without ever coaching a game. Belichick had two different stints as the head coach of the New York Jets without ever coaching a game.


In February 1997, Belichick, who had been an assistant coach under Bill Parcells with the New York Giants and New England Patriots, was named the Jets interim head coach while the Jets and Patriots continued to negotiate compensation to release Parcells from his contract with Patriots and allow Parcells to coach the Jets.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1997-02-05/sports/1997036128_1_bill-parcells-new-york-jets-patriots |title=End around: Parcells gets consultant job Jets hire Belichick until ex-Patriots coach is free to take over |work=] |author=Vito Stellino |date=February 5, 1997 |accessdate=November 16, 2014}}</ref> Six days later, the Patriots and Jets reached an agreement that allowed Parcells to coach the Jets, and Belichick became the team's assistant head coach and defensive coordinator.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1997-02-11/sports/sp-27483_1_bill-parcells |title=Parcells to coach Jets in 1997 |work=] |author=Jim Hodges |date=February 11, 1997 |accessdate=November 16, 2014}}</ref> When Parcells stepped down as head coach in 1999, he had already arranged with team management to have Belichick succeed him. However, Belichick would be the New York Jets' head coach for only one day. When Belichick was introduced as head coach to the media—the day after his hiring was publicized—he turned it into a surprise-resignation announcement. Before taking the podium, he scrawled a resignation note on a sheet of ] that read, in its entirety, ''"I resign as HC of the NYJ."'' He then delivered a half-hour speech explaining his resignation to the assembled press corps.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/pete_mcentegart/07/28/ten.spot/index.html | title=The 10 spot | publisher=''SI.com'' | author=Pete McEntegart | date=July 28, 2006|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026030024/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/pete_mcentegart/07/28/ten.spot/index.html|archivedate=October 26, 2012|accessdate=May 10, 2015|deadurl=yes}}</ref> In February 1997, Belichick, who had been an assistant coach under Bill Parcells with the New York Giants and New England Patriots, was named the Jets interim head coach while the Jets and Patriots continued to negotiate compensation to release Parcells from his contract with Patriots and allow Parcells to coach the Jets.<ref>{{Cite web |url=/1997-02-05/sports/1997036128_1_bill-parcells-new-york-jets-patriots |title=End around: Parcells gets consultant job Jets hire Belichick until ex-Patriots coach is free to take over |work=] |author=Vito Stellino |date=February 5, 1997 |accessdate=November 16, 2014}}</ref> Six days later, the Patriots and Jets reached an agreement that allowed Parcells to coach the Jets, and Belichick became the team's assistant head coach and defensive coordinator.<ref>{{Cite news |url=/1997-02-11/sports/sp-27483_1_bill-parcells |title=Parcells to coach Jets in 1997 |work=] |author=Jim Hodges |date=February 11, 1997 |accessdate=November 16, 2014}}</ref> When Parcells stepped down as head coach in 1999, he had already arranged with team management to have Belichick succeed him. However, Belichick would be the New York Jets' head coach for only one day. When Belichick was introduced as head coach to the media—the day after his hiring was publicized—he turned it into a surprise-resignation announcement. Before taking the podium, he scrawled a resignation note on a sheet of ] that read, in its entirety, ''"I resign as HC of the NYJ."'' He then delivered a half-hour speech explaining his resignation to the assembled press corps.<ref>{{cite news | url=/2006/writers/pete_mcentegart/07/28/ten.spot/index.html | title=The 10 spot | publisher=''SI.com'' | author=Pete McEntegart | date=July 28, 2006|archiveurl=/web/20121026030024/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/pete_mcentegart/07/28/ten.spot/index.html|archivedate=October 26, 2012|accessdate=May 10, 2015|deadurl=yes}}</ref>
Soon after this bizarre turn of events, he was introduced as the Patriots' 12th full-time head coach, succeeding the recently fired ]. The Patriots had tried to hire him away from Parcells/the Jets in the past. Parcells and the Jets claimed that Belichick was still under contract to the Jets, and demanded compensation from the Patriots. NFL Commissioner ] agreed, and the Patriots gave the Jets a first-round draft pick in ] in exchange for the right to hire Belichick.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.patsfans.com/stories/display_story.php?story_id=2920 | title=How exactly will history judge Parcells? (Pt 3) | publisher=''BosSports.net'' | author=Bob George | date=January 13, 2006|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060908123347/http://www.patsfans.com/stories/display_story.php?story_id=2920|archivedate=September 8, 2006|accessdate=May 10, 2015|deadurl=yes}}</ref> Soon after this bizarre turn of events, he was introduced as the Patriots' 12th full-time head coach, succeeding the recently fired ]. The Patriots had tried to hire him away from Parcells/the Jets in the past. Parcells and the Jets claimed that Belichick was still under contract to the Jets, and demanded compensation from the Patriots. NFL Commissioner ] agreed, and the Patriots gave the Jets a first-round draft pick in ] in exchange for the right to hire Belichick.<ref>{{cite web | url=/stories/display_story.php?story_id=2920 | title=How exactly will history judge Parcells? (Pt 3) | publisher=''BosSports.net'' | author=Bob George | date=January 13, 2006|archiveurl=/web/20060908123347/http://www.patsfans.com/stories/display_story.php?story_id=2920|archivedate=September 8, 2006|accessdate=May 10, 2015|deadurl=yes}}</ref>


===New England Patriots (2000–present)=== ===New England Patriots (2000–present)===
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With a new defensive coordinator in ] and no named offensive coordinator, the Patriots went 10–6 in 2005 and defeated the ] in the ] before losing to the ] in the divisional round. Earlier, with a season-opening win over the Raiders, Belichick notched his 54th win with the Patriots, passing ] as the winningest coach in Patriots history. With a new defensive coordinator in ] and no named offensive coordinator, the Patriots went 10–6 in 2005 and defeated the ] in the ] before losing to the ] in the divisional round. Earlier, with a season-opening win over the Raiders, Belichick notched his 54th win with the Patriots, passing ] as the winningest coach in Patriots history.


The Patriots went 12–4 in 2006 and defeated the ] in the ]. They then beat the ] the next week, before losing to the eventual ] winner ] in the AFC Championship game 38–34. The Patriots led 21–3 mid-way during the second quarter, but the Colts mounted one of the great comebacks in playoff history.<ref>{{cite web|title=Greatest Comebacks in NFL History|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/football-history/greatest-comebacks-in-nfl-history/#postseason|website=profootballhof.com|publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame|accessdate=December 28, 2015}}</ref> The Patriots went 12–4 in 2006 and defeated the ] in the ]. They then beat the ] the next week, before losing to the eventual ] winner ] in the AFC Championship game 38–34. The Patriots led 21–3 mid-way during the second quarter, but the Colts mounted one of the great comebacks in playoff history.<ref>{{cite web|title=Greatest Comebacks in NFL History|url=/football-history/greatest-comebacks-in-nfl-history/#postseason|website=profootballhof.com|publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame|accessdate=December 28, 2015}}</ref>


]]] ]]]


In 2007, Belichick led the Patriots to the first ] since the introduction of the 16-game regular season schedule in 1978, only the fourth team to do so in National Football League history after the 1934<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/tradition/history_30s.asp |title=Highlights from the 1930s – Chicago Bears|publisher=Chicagobears.com|accessdate=May 27, 2012}}</ref> and 1942 Chicago Bears<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/tradition/history_40s.asp|title=Highlights from the 1940s – Chicago Bears |publisher=Chicagobears.com|accessdate=May 27, 2012}}</ref> and 1972 Miami Dolphins. However, the Patriots were upset in ] by the ]<ref>{{cite news|title=Sweet 16 and 0 |publisher=sportsillustrated.com |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/scoreboards/2007/12/29/2671_viewcast_recap.html?eref=T1|accessdate=December 29, 2007| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080102141200/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/scoreboards/2007/12/29/2671_viewcast_recap.html?eref=T1| archivedate= January 2, 2008 | deadurl= no}}</ref> The Patriots' failure to attain a "perfect season" (undefeated and untied, including playoffs) preserved the ] as the sole team to do so, having finished their 1972 regular season at 14–0 and having won three games in the playoffs. Only two other teams in professional football have recorded a perfect season—the 1948 Cleveland Browns (14–0) of the then All-America Football Conference and the 1948 Calgary Stampeders (12–0) of the Canadian Football League. No team in the former American Football League had a perfect season. In 2007, Belichick led the Patriots to the first ] since the introduction of the 16-game regular season schedule in 1978, only the fourth team to do so in National Football League history after the 1934<ref>{{cite web|url=/tradition/history_30s.asp |title=Highlights from the 1930s – Chicago Bears|publisher=Chicagobears.com|accessdate=May 27, 2012}}</ref> and 1942 Chicago Bears<ref>{{cite web|url=/tradition/history_40s.asp|title=Highlights from the 1940s – Chicago Bears |publisher=Chicagobears.com|accessdate=May 27, 2012}}</ref> and 1972 Miami Dolphins. However, the Patriots were upset in ] by the ]<ref>{{cite news|title=Sweet 16 and 0 |publisher=sportsillustrated.com |url=/football/nfl/scoreboards/2007/12/29/2671_viewcast_recap.html?eref=T1|accessdate=December 29, 2007| archiveurl=/web/20080102141200/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/scoreboards/2007/12/29/2671_viewcast_recap.html?eref=T1| archivedate= January 2, 2008 | deadurl= no}}</ref> The Patriots' failure to attain a "perfect season" (undefeated and untied, including playoffs) preserved the ] as the sole team to do so, having finished their 1972 regular season at 14–0 and having won three games in the playoffs. Only two other teams in professional football have recorded a perfect season—the 1948 Cleveland Browns (14–0) of the then All-America Football Conference and the 1948 Calgary Stampeders (12–0) of the Canadian Football League. No team in the former American Football League had a perfect season.


In the Patriots' 2008 season-opener against the ], quarterback ] suffered a season-ending injury in the first quarter. Backup quarterback ] was named the starter for the remainder of the season. However, with a win in week 2, the Patriots broke their own record for regular season wins in a row with 21 (2006–08). After losing over a dozen players to the injured reserve list, including ], ], and ], the Patriots still managed their league-leading eighth consecutive season with a winning record, going 11–5. Nevertheless, the Patriots, who finished second in the ], missed the ] for the first time since 2002, losing tiebreakers to the Dolphins (who won the division on the fourth tiebreaker, better conference record) and the Ravens (who beat out the Patriots for the last playoff spot due to a better conference record). The ] are the only other 11-win team to miss the playoffs in a 16-game season. In the Patriots' 2008 season-opener against the ], quarterback ] suffered a season-ending injury in the first quarter. Backup quarterback ] was named the starter for the remainder of the season. However, with a win in week 2, the Patriots broke their own record for regular season wins in a row with 21 (2006–08). After losing over a dozen players to the injured reserve list, including ], ], and ], the Patriots still managed their league-leading eighth consecutive season with a winning record, going 11–5. Nevertheless, the Patriots, who finished second in the ], missed the ] for the first time since 2002, losing tiebreakers to the Dolphins (who won the division on the fourth tiebreaker, better conference record) and the Ravens (who beat out the Patriots for the last playoff spot due to a better conference record). The ] are the only other 11-win team to miss the playoffs in a 16-game season.
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==== 2010–present ==== ==== 2010–present ====
In the 2011 season, the Patriots topped the AFC with a 13–3 record. Following a victory over the ], on January 22, 2012, the Patriots won the AFC Championship game beating the ] 23–20 when the Ravens failed to score a touchdown and Baltimore's kicker, ], missed a routine 32-yard field goal attempt to tie the game and send it into overtime.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/10176603-419/billy-cundiff-ravens-miss-super-chance.html |title=Billy Cundiff, Ravens miss Super chance – Chicago Sun-Times |publisher=Suntimes.com |date=January 23, 2012 |accessdate=September 26, 2012}}</ref> This sent New England to their fifth Super Bowl under Belichick. In ], the Patriots lost in the Super Bowl XLII rematch to the Giants 21–17.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Super-Bowl-XLVI-New-York-Giants-New-England-Patriots-postgame-020512 |title=New York Giants beat the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl XLVI – NFL News &#124; FOX Sports on MSN |publisher=Msn.foxsports.com |date=February 6, 2012 |accessdate=September 26, 2012}}</ref> In the 2011 season, the Patriots topped the AFC with a 13–3 record. Following a victory over the ], on January 22, 2012, the Patriots won the AFC Championship game beating the ] 23–20 when the Ravens failed to score a touchdown and Baltimore's kicker, ], missed a routine 32-yard field goal attempt to tie the game and send it into overtime.<ref>{{cite news|url=/sports/football/10176603-419/billy-cundiff-ravens-miss-super-chance.html |title=Billy Cundiff, Ravens miss Super chance – Chicago Sun-Times |publisher=Suntimes.com |date=January 23, 2012 |accessdate=September 26, 2012}}</ref> This sent New England to their fifth Super Bowl under Belichick. In ], the Patriots lost in the Super Bowl XLII rematch to the Giants 21–17.<ref>{{cite web|url=/nfl/story/Super-Bowl-XLVI-New-York-Giants-New-England-Patriots-postgame-020512 |title=New York Giants beat the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl XLVI – NFL News &#124; FOX Sports on MSN |publisher=Msn.foxsports.com |date=February 6, 2012 |accessdate=September 26, 2012}}</ref>


On September 26, 2012, following a 31–30 loss to the ], Belichick was fined $50,000 for grabbing a ]'s arm while asking for more specific clarity on a ruling after Baltimore had narrowly converted a last-second field goal attempt to secure the win.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/belichick-fined-50k-shanahan-25k-174534755--nfl.html |title=Belichick fined 50K, Kyle Shanahan 25K by NFL – Yahoo! Sports |publisher=Sports.yahoo.com |date= |accessdate=September 26, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929012115/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/belichick-fined-50k-shanahan-25k-174534755--nfl.html |archivedate=September 29, 2012 |df= }}</ref> The Patriots finished the 2012 regular season with a 12–4 record and made it to the AFC Championship game before losing to the Baltimore Ravens, ending their season. On September 26, 2012, following a 31–30 loss to the ], Belichick was fined $50,000 for grabbing a ]'s arm while asking for more specific clarity on a ruling after Baltimore had narrowly converted a last-second field goal attempt to secure the win.<ref>{{cite web |url=/news/belichick-fined-50k-shanahan-25k-174534755--nfl.html |title=Belichick fined 50K, Kyle Shanahan 25K by NFL – Yahoo! Sports |publisher=Sports.yahoo.com |date= |accessdate=September 26, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=/web/20120929012115/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/belichick-fined-50k-shanahan-25k-174534755--nfl.html |archivedate=September 29, 2012 |df= }}</ref> The Patriots finished the 2012 regular season with a 12–4 record and made it to the AFC Championship game before losing to the Baltimore Ravens, ending their season.


Belichick's Patriots began the 2013 season with much upheaval on the offensive side of the ball with the injury of Rob Gronkowski, the arrest and subsequent release of Aaron Hernandez, the departures of Wes Welker to the Denver Broncos and Danny Woodhead to the San Diego Chargers in free agency, and the release of Brandon Lloyd. To replace them, the Patriots signed Danny Amendola in free agency, drafted rookies Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce, and signed undrafted rookie free agent Kenbrell Thompkins. The team ended the season with a 12–4 record, winning the AFC East and securing a playoff berth and a first-round bye, seeding second in the AFC standings. They lost to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship. Belichick's Patriots began the 2013 season with much upheaval on the offensive side of the ball with the injury of Rob Gronkowski, the arrest and subsequent release of Aaron Hernandez, the departures of Wes Welker to the Denver Broncos and Danny Woodhead to the San Diego Chargers in free agency, and the release of Brandon Lloyd. To replace them, the Patriots signed Danny Amendola in free agency, drafted rookies Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce, and signed undrafted rookie free agent Kenbrell Thompkins. The team ended the season with a 12–4 record, winning the AFC East and securing a playoff berth and a first-round bye, seeding second in the AFC standings. They lost to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship.
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In the 2014 season, Belichick's Patriots recorded a 12–4 record for the third straight season. They reached ], where they defeated the ] by a score of 28–24. With his fourth championship as head coach, Belichick tied Chuck Noll for most wins by a head coach in a Super Bowl. In the 2014 season, Belichick's Patriots recorded a 12–4 record for the third straight season. They reached ], where they defeated the ] by a score of 28–24. With his fourth championship as head coach, Belichick tied Chuck Noll for most wins by a head coach in a Super Bowl.


In the 2016 season, Belichick's Patriots recorded a 14-2 record, which was good for the #1 seed for the AFC playoffs. They reached ], where they defeated the ] in a comeback victory by a score of 34–28 in overtime.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wesseling| first1=Chris| title=New England Patriots win Super Bowl LI|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000783692/article/patriots-erase-deficit-defeat-falcons-in-super-bowl-li|publisher=NFL| accessdate=August 6, 2017}}</ref> The Patriots were down 28–3 at one point in the third quarter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201702050atl.htm|title=Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons - February 5th, 2017|work=]|accessdate=August 6, 2017}}</ref> With the victory, Belichick won his fifth Super Bowl title as a head coach. In the 2016 season, Belichick's Patriots recorded a 14-2 record, which was good for the #1 seed for the AFC playoffs. They reached ], where they defeated the ] in a comeback victory by a score of 34–28 in overtime.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wesseling| first1=Chris| title=New England Patriots win Super Bowl LI|url=/news/story/0ap3000000783692/article/patriots-erase-deficit-defeat-falcons-in-super-bowl-li|publisher=NFL| accessdate=August 6, 2017}}</ref> The Patriots were down 28–3 at one point in the third quarter.<ref>{{cite web|url=/boxscores/201702050atl.htm|title=Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons - February 5th, 2017|work=]|accessdate=August 6, 2017}}</ref> With the victory, Belichick won his fifth Super Bowl title as a head coach.


====Sideline videotaping controversy==== ====Sideline videotaping controversy====
{{Main article|2007 National Football League videotaping controversy}} {{Main article|2007 National Football League videotaping controversy}}
In an incident dubbed "Spygate,"<ref>{{cite news|last=Pedulla|first=Tom|title=Belichick apologizes for 'Videogate'|work=USA Today|date=September 12, 2007|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/patriots/2007-09-12-belichick-apology_N.htm}}</ref> on September 9, 2007, NFL security caught a Patriots video assistant taping the ]' defensive signals from the sidelines. The NFL rules state "No video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches’ booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game." Jets coach ], a former Patriots assistant, tipped off league officials that the Patriots might have been filming their signals. After the game, the Jets formally complained to the league. In an incident dubbed "Spygate,"<ref>{{cite news|last=Pedulla|first=Tom|title=Belichick apologizes for 'Videogate'|work=USA Today|date=September 12, 2007|url=/sports/football/nfl/patriots/2007-09-12-belichick-apology_N.htm}}</ref> on September 9, 2007, NFL security caught a Patriots video assistant taping the ]' defensive signals from the sidelines. The NFL rules state "No video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches’ booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game." Jets coach ], a former Patriots assistant, tipped off league officials that the Patriots might have been filming their signals. After the game, the Jets formally complained to the league.


On September 13, the NFL fined Belichick $500,000—the largest fine ever imposed on a coach in the league's 87-year history,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3018338|title=Belichick draws $500,000 fine, but avoids suspension|publisher=Sports.espn.go.com|date=September 14, 2007|accessdate=May 27, 2012}}</ref> and fined the Patriots $250,000. Additionally, the Patriots forfeited their first round draft pick in the ]. Goodell, a former employee of the Jets, said that he fined the Patriots as a team because Belichick exercises so much control over the Patriots' on-field operations that "his actions and decisions are properly attributed to the club." Goodell considered suspending Belichick, but decided that taking away draft picks would be more severe in the long run.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/09/14/big_fines_for_belichick_team/|work=The Boston Globe|title=Big fines for Belichick, team|date=September 14, 2007|first1=Mike|last1=Reiss}}</ref> Gary Myers, '']'' columnist, stated Belichick should have been suspended by Goodell for the Patriots' next game against the Jets.<ref name=Myers_12_10_2007>{{cite news|last=Myers |first=Gary |title=Commissioner Goodell should have suspended Bill Belichick|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/commissioner-goodell-suspended-bill-belichick-article-1.242700|newspaper=New York Daily News|date=December 10, 2007|accessdate=July 29, 2012}}</ref> On September 13, the NFL fined Belichick $500,000—the largest fine ever imposed on a coach in the league's 87-year history,<ref>{{cite web|url=/nfl/news/story?id=3018338|title=Belichick draws $500,000 fine, but avoids suspension|publisher=Sports.espn.go.com|date=September 14, 2007|accessdate=May 27, 2012}}</ref> and fined the Patriots $250,000. Additionally, the Patriots forfeited their first round draft pick in the ]. Goodell, a former employee of the Jets, said that he fined the Patriots as a team because Belichick exercises so much control over the Patriots' on-field operations that "his actions and decisions are properly attributed to the club." Goodell considered suspending Belichick, but decided that taking away draft picks would be more severe in the long run.<ref>{{cite news|url=/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/09/14/big_fines_for_belichick_team/|work=The Boston Globe|title=Big fines for Belichick, team|date=September 14, 2007|first1=Mike|last1=Reiss}}</ref> Gary Myers, '']'' columnist, stated Belichick should have been suspended by Goodell for the Patriots' next game against the Jets.<ref name=Myers_12_10_2007>{{cite news|last=Myers |first=Gary |title=Commissioner Goodell should have suspended Bill Belichick|url=/sports/football/jets/commissioner-goodell-suspended-bill-belichick-article-1.242700|newspaper=New York Daily News|date=December 10, 2007|accessdate=July 29, 2012}}</ref>


Belichick later issued the following statement: Belichick later issued the following statement:
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====Overall record in New England==== ====Overall record in New England====
Under Belichick, the Patriots have a regular-season record of 201–71–0 over 17 seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/BeliBi0.htm|title=Bill Belichick Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks – Pro-Football-Reference.com|publisher=''Pro-Football-Reference''|accessdate=January 25, 2016}}</ref> Belichick is far and away the winningest coach in Patriots history; his 201 wins with the franchise are more than triple those of runner-up ]. Belichick also has compiled a 25–9 record in the playoffs with New England, and 5–2 in Super Bowls. He has led the Patriots to fourteen division titles, including five consecutive titles from ] to ] and eight consecutive titles from ] to ]. Under Belichick, the team only missed the playoffs in 2000 and on tiebreakers in 2002 and 2008. Under Belichick, the Patriots have a regular-season record of 201–71–0 over 17 seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=/coaches/BeliBi0.htm|title=Bill Belichick Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks – Pro-Football-Reference.com|publisher=''Pro-Football-Reference''|accessdate=January 25, 2016}}</ref> Belichick is far and away the winningest coach in Patriots history; his 201 wins with the franchise are more than triple those of runner-up ]. Belichick also has compiled a 25–9 record in the playoffs with New England, and 5–2 in Super Bowls. He has led the Patriots to fourteen division titles, including five consecutive titles from ] to ] and eight consecutive titles from ] to ]. Under Belichick, the team only missed the playoffs in 2000 and on tiebreakers in 2002 and 2008.


==== Contract status ==== ==== Contract status ====
Although the Patriots are known for being very secretive about the details of Belichick's contract,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/09/17/report_belichick_earns_new_deal/|title=Report: Belichick earns new deal|work=]|author=Reiss, Mike|author2=Christopher L. Gasper|last-author-amp=yes|date=September 17, 2007|accessdate=December 26, 2009}}</ref> an ] report in September 2007, shortly after the ] incident began, indicated that the Patriots had extended Belichick's contract, before the 2007 season began, through at least the 2013 season. Although the Patriots are known for being very secretive about the details of Belichick's contract,<ref>{{cite news|url=/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/09/17/report_belichick_earns_new_deal/|title=Report: Belichick earns new deal|work=]|author=Reiss, Mike|author2=Christopher L. Gasper|last-author-amp=yes|date=September 17, 2007|accessdate=December 26, 2009}}</ref> an ] report in September 2007, shortly after the ] incident began, indicated that the Patriots had extended Belichick's contract, before the 2007 season began, through at least the 2013 season.


==Head coaching record== ==Head coaching record==
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! colspan="2"|Total||237||115||0||{{Winning percentage|237|115}}||||26||10||{{Winning percentage|26|10}}|| ! colspan="2"|Total||237||115||0||{{Winning percentage|237|115}}||||26||10||{{Winning percentage|26|10}}||
|} |}
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/BeliBi0.htm|title=Bill Belichick Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks - Pro-Football-Reference.com|publisher=}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=/coaches/BeliBi0.htm|title=Bill Belichick Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks - Pro-Football-Reference.com|publisher=}}</ref>


==Coaching tree== ==Coaching tree==
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Belichick has been known to cultivate ties with the collegiate branches of his coaching tree: in the ], the Patriots drafted two players from Fresno State, while in the ], the Patriots drafted one Notre Dame player, and then signed two more as free agents after the draft.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}} Belichick has been known to cultivate ties with the collegiate branches of his coaching tree: in the ], the Patriots drafted two players from Fresno State, while in the ], the Patriots drafted one Notre Dame player, and then signed two more as free agents after the draft.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}


In addition, Belichick is a devoted student of the game; during the offseason, he has spent significant amounts of time visiting with other programs to learn from their experiences. For example, he has studied the Navy run offense, sought ] (in past years) to understand more about the ] as an organization and the ] as a system,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=cr-walshinfluence073007&prov=yhoo&type=lgns | title=Unlikely influence | publisher=''Yahoo! Sports'' | author=Charles Robinson | date=July 30, 2007}}</ref> and spent time with ] to learn about drafting and contract negotiations.<ref name="fla">{{cite web | url=http://blogs.nbcsports.com/home/archives/2007/04/busmans-holiday-for-belichick.html | archive-url=https://archive.is/20130130053927/http://blogs.nbcsports.com/home/archives/2007/04/busmans-holiday-for-belichick.html | dead-url=yes | archive-date=January 30, 2013 | title=Busman's holiday for Belichick | publisher=''NBCsports.com'' | author=Tom Curran | date=April 3, 2007 | accessdate=November 27, 2012}}</ref> In addition, Belichick is a devoted student of the game; during the offseason, he has spent significant amounts of time visiting with other programs to learn from their experiences. For example, he has studied the Navy run offense, sought ] (in past years) to understand more about the ] as an organization and the ] as a system,<ref>{{cite web | url=/nfl/news?slug=cr-walshinfluence073007&prov=yhoo&type=lgns | title=Unlikely influence | publisher=''Yahoo! Sports'' | author=Charles Robinson | date=July 30, 2007}}</ref> and spent time with ] to learn about drafting and contract negotiations.<ref name="fla">{{cite web | url=/home/archives/2007/04/busmans-holiday-for-belichick.html | archive-url=/20130130053927/http://blogs.nbcsports.com/home/archives/2007/04/busmans-holiday-for-belichick.html | dead-url=yes | archive-date=January 30, 2013 | title=Busman's holiday for Belichick | publisher=''NBCsports.com'' | author=Tom Curran | date=April 3, 2007 | accessdate=November 27, 2012}}</ref>


Similarly, Belichick paid several visits to former ] head coach ].<ref name="fla" /> Meyer considers himself a protégé of Belichick and has tried to emulate Belichick's success at New England.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bostonsportsmedia.com/archives/shots/belichick_in_gator_land.php | title=Belichick in Gator Land | publisher=''Boston Sports Media'' | author=David Scott | accessdate=August 1, 2007 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070315211506/http://www.bostonsportsmedia.com/archives/shots/belichick_in_gator_land.php |archivedate = March 15, 2007}}</ref> Former ] head coach ] had been an annual visitor to New England Patriots' minicamps prior to becoming the head coach of the ]. Schiano has consulted with Belichick on a variety of topics, most notably defense.<ref name="rut">{{cite web | url=http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20081022/SPORTS50/810220367/1164 | title=Rutgers learned lesson from Patriots' Belichick| work=MyCentralJersey.com |first=Keith |last=Sargeant |date=October 22, 2008 |accessdate=December 2, 2009}}</ref> Similarly, Belichick paid several visits to former ] head coach ].<ref name="fla" /> Meyer considers himself a protégé of Belichick and has tried to emulate Belichick's success at New England.<ref>{{cite web | url=/archives/shots/belichick_in_gator_land.php | title=Belichick in Gator Land | publisher=''Boston Sports Media'' | author=David Scott | accessdate=August 1, 2007 |archiveurl =/web/20070315211506/http://www.bostonsportsmedia.com/archives/shots/belichick_in_gator_land.php |archivedate = March 15, 2007}}</ref> Former ] head coach ] had been an annual visitor to New England Patriots' minicamps prior to becoming the head coach of the ]. Schiano has consulted with Belichick on a variety of topics, most notably defense.<ref name="rut">{{cite web | url=/article/20081022/SPORTS50/810220367/1164 | title=Rutgers learned lesson from Patriots' Belichick| work=MyCentralJersey.com |first=Keith |last=Sargeant |date=October 22, 2008 |accessdate=December 2, 2009}}</ref>


==Personal life== ==Personal life==
Belichick was married to Debby Clarke, but they divorced in the summer of 2006.<ref name="English">{{cite news | url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/03/04/after_a_bruising_year_belichick_opens_up/ | title=After a bruising year, Belichick opens up | work=Boston Globe | author=Bella English | date=March 4, 2007}}</ref> They allegedly separated before the ], which was disclosed by the Patriots in July 2005. Belichick was also accused of maintaining a relationship with former Giants receptionist Sharon Shenocca, which helped precipitate her divorce.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://thetrack.bostonherald.com/moreTrack/view.bg?articleid=149076 | title=Belichick Named 'Other Man' in nasty N.J. Divorce | publisher=''Boston Herald'' | date=July 20, 2006|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217093541/http://thetrack.bostonherald.com/moreTrack/view.bg?articleid=149076|archivedate=February 17, 2007|accessdate=May 10, 2015|deadurl=yes}}</ref> Belichick was seen with Linda Holliday of ] several times in Arizona during the week leading up to ].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://falcon.heraldinteractive.com/track/inside_track/view.bg?articleid=1071126&format=&page=3&listingType=trak#articleFull | title=Super Stunner: Could Bundchen be to blame?!? | publisher=''Boston Herald'' | date=February 4, 2008}}{{cbignore}}{{dead link|date=January 2015}}</ref> Belichick was married to Debby Clarke, but they divorced in the summer of 2006.<ref name="English">{{cite news | url=/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/03/04/after_a_bruising_year_belichick_opens_up/ | title=After a bruising year, Belichick opens up | work=Boston Globe | author=Bella English | date=March 4, 2007}}</ref> They allegedly separated before the ], which was disclosed by the Patriots in July 2005. Belichick was also accused of maintaining a relationship with former Giants receptionist Sharon Shenocca, which helped precipitate her divorce.<ref>{{cite web | url=/moreTrack/view.bg?articleid=149076 | title=Belichick Named 'Other Man' in nasty N.J. Divorce | publisher=''Boston Herald'' | date=July 20, 2006|archiveurl=/web/20070217093541/http://thetrack.bostonherald.com/moreTrack/view.bg?articleid=149076|archivedate=February 17, 2007|accessdate=May 10, 2015|deadurl=yes}}</ref> Belichick was seen with Linda Holliday of ] several times in Arizona during the week leading up to ].<ref>{{cite web | url=/track/inside_track/view.bg?articleid=1071126&format=&page=3&listingType=trak#articleFull | title=Super Stunner: Could Bundchen be to blame?!? | publisher=''Boston Herald'' | date=February 4, 2008}}{{cbignore}}{{dead link|date=January 2015}}</ref>


He has three children with Debby Clarke Belichick: Amanda, ], and Brian. Amanda is a 2007 graduate of ], where she, like her father, played ]. After college, she worked at ] preparatory school ] as a lacrosse coach and in the admissions department. In 2009 she became an assistant coach for the ] women's lacrosse team,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/w-lacros/spec-rel/082609aaa.html|title=Amanda Belichick Named Lacrosse Assistant Coach|work=]|date=August 26, 2009|accessdate=September 19, 2009|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311105222/http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/w-lacros/spec-rel/082609aaa.html|archivedate=March 11, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> before joining the ] in the same position the next year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=89292&SPID=10649&ATCLID=204972981&DB_OEM_ID=17300 |title=Ohio State Women's Lacrosse Coaching Staff Completed |work=] |date=August 11, 2010 |accessdate=September 19, 2010 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> After serving as interim head women's lacrosse coach at Wesleyan,<ref>{{cite web|title=Athletics – Women's Lacrosse|url=http://www.wesleyan.edu/athletics/wlacrosse/index.html|work=Wesleyan University|accessdate=November 19, 2013}}</ref> she was named head women's lacrosse coach at ] in Massachusetts in July 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots_nfl/the_blitz/2015/07/bill_belichick_s_daughter_amanda_named_lacrosse_coach_at_holy|title=Bill Belichick's daughter Amanda named lacrosse coach at Holy Cross|author=Herald Staff|date=|work=bostonherald.com|accessdate=September 11, 2015}}</ref> Stephen played lacrosse and football at ] on scholarship. Stephen was hired as an assistant coach for the New England Patriots in May 2012;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/patriots/story/2012-05-10/steve-belichick-joins-dad-with-patriots/54895820/1 |title=Steve Belichick joins dad Bill on Patriots coaching staff – |publisher=Usatoday.com |date= May 11, 2012|accessdate=May 27, 2012}}</ref> as of 2016, he is the team's safeties coach.<ref>{{cite web|last=Alper|first=Josh|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/03/18/bill-belichicks-son-promoted-to-patriots-safeties-coach/|title=Bill Belichick's son promoted to Patriots safeties coach|publisher=]|date=March 18, 2016|accessdate=March 18, 2016}}</ref> Brian attended ] where he played lacrosse.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://athletics.trincoll.edu/sports/mlax/2011-12/bios/BRIAN_BELICHICK|title=Brian Belichick Bio|accessdate=July 28, 2012}}</ref> In 2016 Brian was hired to the Patriots' front office as a scouting assistant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4793987/for-first-time-bill-belichick-has-both-sons-officially-on-new-england-patriots-staff|title=For first time, Bill Belichick has both sons officially on Patriots' staff|publisher=}}</ref> He has three children with Debby Clarke Belichick: Amanda, ], and Brian. Amanda is a 2007 graduate of ], where she, like her father, played ]. After college, she worked at ] preparatory school ] as a lacrosse coach and in the admissions department. In 2009 she became an assistant coach for the ] women's lacrosse team,<ref>{{cite web|url=/sports/w-lacros/spec-rel/082609aaa.html|title=Amanda Belichick Named Lacrosse Assistant Coach|work=]|date=August 26, 2009|accessdate=September 19, 2009|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=/web/20120311105222/http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/w-lacros/spec-rel/082609aaa.html|archivedate=March 11, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> before joining the ] in the same position the next year.<ref>{{cite web|url=/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=89292&SPID=10649&ATCLID=204972981&DB_OEM_ID=17300 |title=Ohio State Women's Lacrosse Coaching Staff Completed |work=] |date=August 11, 2010 |accessdate=September 19, 2010 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> After serving as interim head women's lacrosse coach at Wesleyan,<ref>{{cite web|title=Athletics – Women's Lacrosse|url=/athletics/wlacrosse/index.html|work=Wesleyan University|accessdate=November 19, 2013}}</ref> she was named head women's lacrosse coach at ] in Massachusetts in July 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=/sports/patriots_nfl/the_blitz/2015/07/bill_belichick_s_daughter_amanda_named_lacrosse_coach_at_holy|title=Bill Belichick's daughter Amanda named lacrosse coach at Holy Cross|author=Herald Staff|date=|work=bostonherald.com|accessdate=September 11, 2015}}</ref> Stephen played lacrosse and football at ] on scholarship. Stephen was hired as an assistant coach for the New England Patriots in May 2012;<ref>{{cite news|url=/sports/football/nfl/patriots/story/2012-05-10/steve-belichick-joins-dad-with-patriots/54895820/1 |title=Steve Belichick joins dad Bill on Patriots coaching staff – |publisher=Usatoday.com |date= May 11, 2012|accessdate=May 27, 2012}}</ref> as of 2016, he is the team's safeties coach.<ref>{{cite web|last=Alper|first=Josh|url=/2016/03/18/bill-belichicks-son-promoted-to-patriots-safeties-coach/|title=Bill Belichick's son promoted to Patriots safeties coach|publisher=]|date=March 18, 2016|accessdate=March 18, 2016}}</ref> Brian attended ] where he played lacrosse.<ref>{{cite web|url=/sports/mlax/2011-12/bios/BRIAN_BELICHICK|title=Brian Belichick Bio|accessdate=July 28, 2012}}</ref> In 2016 Brian was hired to the Patriots' front office as a scouting assistant.<ref>{{cite web|url=/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4793987/for-first-time-bill-belichick-has-both-sons-officially-on-new-england-patriots-staff|title=For first time, Bill Belichick has both sons officially on Patriots' staff|publisher=}}</ref>


Belichick is of ] ancestry.<ref name=BG051121>{{cite news | url = http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2005/11/21/belichick_learned_well_from_dad/?page=full | title = Belichick learned well from dad | first = Bob | last = Ryan | work = Boston Globe | date = November 21, 2005 }}</ref> His father, ] (born Stephen Biličić), played for the ] and was an assistant coach and scout with the ] football team for 33 years. Bill reportedly learned to break down game films at a young age by watching his father and the Navy staff do their jobs.<ref>]. ''The Education of a Coach.'' Hyperion, 2005. ({{ISBN|1-4013-0879-1}})</ref> His paternal grandparents, Ivan Biličić and Marija (Mary) Barković, emigrated from ], ] (from the village of ]) in 1897 and left for the USA, where they settled in ] near ].<ref name="granddad">{{hr icon}} Bill Belichick Djed iz Draganića uvijek mi je pričao o Hrvatskoj, February 2, 2007</ref> Belichick is of ] ancestry.<ref name=BG051121>{{cite news | url =/sports/football/patriots/articles/2005/11/21/belichick_learned_well_from_dad/?page=full | title = Belichick learned well from dad | first = Bob | last = Ryan | work = Boston Globe | date = November 21, 2005 }}</ref> His father, ] (born Stephen Biličić), played for the ] and was an assistant coach and scout with the ] football team for 33 years. Bill reportedly learned to break down game films at a young age by watching his father and the Navy staff do their jobs.<ref>]. ''The Education of a Coach.'' Hyperion, 2005. ({{ISBN|1-4013-0879-1}})</ref> His paternal grandparents, Ivan Biličić and Marija (Mary) Barković, emigrated from ], ] (from the village of ]) in 1897 and left for the USA, where they settled in ] near ].<ref name="granddad">{{hr icon}} Bill Belichick Djed iz Draganića uvijek mi je pričao o Hrvatskoj, February 2, 2007</ref>


==Media and entertainment== ==Media and entertainment==
*In September 2011, a two-hour documentary following Belichick through the entire 2009 season was aired as the first two episodes of the ] documentary series '']''. According to NFL Network, the premiere was the most-watched documentary in the history of the NFL Network, and the second-most watched broadcast in the Boston media market, beating all the broadcast networks, and finishing second only to a ] game.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/09/16/%E2%80%9Ca-football-life-bill-belichick%E2%80%9D-most-watched-documentary-ever-on-nfl-network/103978/ |title="A Football Life: Bill Belichick" Most-Watched Documentary Ever On NFL Network – Ratings |publisher=Tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com |date=September 16, 2011 |accessdate=May 27, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021091850/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/09/16/%E2%80%9Ca-football-life-bill-belichick%E2%80%9D-most-watched-documentary-ever-on-nfl-network/103978/ |archivedate=October 21, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> *In September 2011, a two-hour documentary following Belichick through the entire 2009 season was aired as the first two episodes of the ] documentary series '']''. According to NFL Network, the premiere was the most-watched documentary in the history of the NFL Network, and the second-most watched broadcast in the Boston media market, beating all the broadcast networks, and finishing second only to a ] game.<ref>{{cite web |url=/2011/09/16/%E2%80%9Ca-football-life-bill-belichick%E2%80%9D-most-watched-documentary-ever-on-nfl-network/103978/ |title="A Football Life: Bill Belichick" Most-Watched Documentary Ever On NFL Network – Ratings |publisher=Tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com |date=September 16, 2011 |accessdate=May 27, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=/web/20121021091850/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/09/16/%E2%80%9Ca-football-life-bill-belichick%E2%80%9D-most-watched-documentary-ever-on-nfl-network/103978/ |archivedate=October 21, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
*Belichick had a cameo appearance in an episode of the ] drama '']'' as a mourner at a funeral, alongside former ] ]. *Belichick had a cameo appearance in an episode of the ] drama '']'' as a mourner at a funeral, alongside former ] ].
*In the '']'' video game series, his name is not used and is known as "NE Coach" or "Chad Masters" because he is not a member of the ], which licenses the game. Belichick is the only NFL head coach who has chosen not to join the association. *In the '']'' video game series, his name is not used and is known as "NE Coach" or "Chad Masters" because he is not a member of the ], which licenses the game. Belichick is the only NFL head coach who has chosen not to join the association.
*Belichick is well known as a fan of the rock band ], who visited Patriots training camp on August 14, 2006.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2004/01/29/belichick_plugs_in_his_rocker_friend?mode=PF | title=Belichick plugs in his rocker friend | publisher=''The Boston Globe'' | date=January 29, 2004 }} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/belichick-bon-jovi-perfect-harmony-football-music-brought-coach-rocker-article-1.586972 | title=BELICHICK, BON JOVI IN PERFECT HARMONY Football & music have brought coach & rocker together | work=New York Daily News |author=Rich Cimini | date=January 25, 2005|accessdate=May 10, 2015}}</ref> Their 2002 song "]" is dedicated to Belichick.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.patriots.com/search/index.cfm?ac=searchdetail&pid=3915&pcid=43 |title=Bon Jovi on football: It's my life |publisher=''New England Patriots'' |date=August 29, 2002 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> *Belichick is well known as a fan of the rock band ], who visited Patriots training camp on August 14, 2006.<ref>{{cite news | url=/sports/football/patriots/articles/2004/01/29/belichick_plugs_in_his_rocker_friend?mode=PF | title=Belichick plugs in his rocker friend | publisher=''The Boston Globe'' | date=January 29, 2004 }} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=/archives/sports/belichick-bon-jovi-perfect-harmony-football-music-brought-coach-rocker-article-1.586972 | title=BELICHICK, BON JOVI IN PERFECT HARMONY Football & music have brought coach & rocker together | work=New York Daily News |author=Rich Cimini | date=January 25, 2005|accessdate=May 10, 2015}}</ref> Their 2002 song "]" is dedicated to Belichick.<ref>{{cite web|url=/search/index.cfm?ac=searchdetail&pid=3915&pcid=43 |title=Bon Jovi on football: It's my life |publisher=''New England Patriots'' |date=August 29, 2002 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
*In a 2012 interview, '']'' novelist ] named Belichick the NFL personality most likely to become a ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://303magazine.com/2012/09/drew_karpyshyn/|title=Taking a Knee with 303: Drew Karpyshyn|author=303|work=303 Magazine}}</ref> "Stealing signals in the Super Bowl? Total Sith move. The guy is always looking for every advantage; he's cunning and crafty and amoral. That may sound like an insult, but I’d love to have him coaching the Chargers." *In a 2012 interview, '']'' novelist ] named Belichick the NFL personality most likely to become a ].<ref>{{cite web|url=/2012/09/drew_karpyshyn/|title=Taking a Knee with 303: Drew Karpyshyn|author=303|work=303 Magazine}}</ref> "Stealing signals in the Super Bowl? Total Sith move. The guy is always looking for every advantage; he's cunning and crafty and amoral. That may sound like an insult, but I’d love to have him coaching the Chargers."
*In an interview, '']'' author ] called the Patriots the "Lannisters" of the NFL.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2012/6/1/3057378/new-england-patriots-house-of-lannister-game-of-thrones *In an interview, '']'' author ] called the Patriots the "Lannisters" of the NFL.<ref>{{cite web | url=/2012/6/1/3057378/new-england-patriots-house-of-lannister-game-of-thrones
| title=The New England Patriots Are The House Of Lannister, Says Game Of Thrones Author | date=June 1, 2012}}</ref> And in a blog post dated March 15, 2013, Martin wrote, "what a vile thing is Evil Little Bill. ... Man has absolutely no loyalty to anyone. Watch and see, when Tom Brady's talents start to fade – and they will, it happens to all of them – Evil Little Bill will ship him out as well." <ref>{{cite web | url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/04/24/top-10-nfl-jabs-from-game-of-thrones-author-george-r-r-martin/ | title=Top 10 NFL Jabs From ‘Game Of Thrones’ Author George R.R. Martin | date=April 24, 2012}}</ref> | title=The New England Patriots Are The House Of Lannister, Says Game Of Thrones Author | date=June 1, 2012}}</ref> And in a blog post dated March 15, 2013, Martin wrote, "what a vile thing is Evil Little Bill. ... Man has absolutely no loyalty to anyone. Watch and see, when Tom Brady's talents start to fade – and they will, it happens to all of them – Evil Little Bill will ship him out as well." <ref>{{cite web | url=/2013/04/24/top-10-nfl-jabs-from-game-of-thrones-author-george-r-r-martin/ | title=Top 10 NFL Jabs From ‘Game Of Thrones’ Author George R.R. Martin | date=April 24, 2012}}</ref>
**The ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' novel '']'' contains a passage referencing Belichick: "The galley was also where the ship's books were kept... the fourth and final volume of ''The Life of the Triarch Belicho'', a famous Volantene patriot whose unbroken succession of conquests and triumphs ended rather abruptly when he was eaten by giants", referring to the ], in which the Patriots went undefeated until losing in the ] to the ].<ref>A Dance with Dragons, Pg. 439 of the US Hardcover</ref> **The ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' novel '']'' contains a passage referencing Belichick: "The galley was also where the ship's books were kept... the fourth and final volume of ''The Life of the Triarch Belicho'', a famous Volantene patriot whose unbroken succession of conquests and triumphs ended rather abruptly when he was eaten by giants", referring to the ], in which the Patriots went undefeated until losing in the ] to the ].<ref>A Dance with Dragons, Pg. 439 of the US Hardcover</ref>
*In the '']'' episode "]" it is revealed that ] won't let the New England Patriots win games because Belichick never smiles.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.avclub.com/tvclub/family-guy-3-acts-god-202259| title=Family Guy: "3 Acts Of God"| author=Kevin McFarland| date=March 17, 2014| publisher=A.V. Club}}</ref> *In the '']'' episode "]" it is revealed that ] won't let the New England Patriots win games because Belichick never smiles.<ref>{{cite web| url=/tvclub/family-guy-3-acts-god-202259| title=Family Guy: "3 Acts Of God"| author=Kevin McFarland| date=March 17, 2014| publisher=A.V. Club}}</ref>
*The 2008 '']'' episode "]" deals with fallout from the ]. As the character ] is coaching inner-city children to cheat on achievement tests, several students raise objections to his morally questionable methods. Cartman twice raises a photo of Belichick and states that the Patriots' coach got caught red-handed, and nobody cared. The lesson for Cartman's students was that America doesn't mind a cheater, as long as he cheats his way to the top.<ref>"South Park: "Eek, A Penis!"". The A.V. Club. April 10, 2008. Retrieved May 5, 2009.</ref> In case the students are caught cheating, Cartman instructs them to practice repeating the Belichick defense: "I misinterpreted the rules."<ref>"I misinterpreted the rules". Comedy Central Studios, http://southpark.cc.com/clips/165716/i-misinterpreted-the-rules. Retrieved September 7, 2016.</ref> *The 2008 '']'' episode "]" deals with fallout from the ]. As the character ] is coaching inner-city children to cheat on achievement tests, several students raise objections to his morally questionable methods. Cartman twice raises a photo of Belichick and states that the Patriots' coach got caught red-handed, and nobody cared. The lesson for Cartman's students was that America doesn't mind a cheater, as long as he cheats his way to the top.<ref>"South Park: "Eek, A Penis!"". The A.V. Club. April 10, 2008. Retrieved May 5, 2009.</ref> In case the students are caught cheating, Cartman instructs them to practice repeating the Belichick defense: "I misinterpreted the rules."<ref>"I misinterpreted the rules". Comedy Central Studios, http://southpark.cc.com/clips/165716/i-misinterpreted-the-rules. Retrieved September 7, 2016.</ref>
*Belichick's "We're on to Cincinnati" press conference during the ] is spoofed by comedian ].<ref>{{cite av media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gE5U0ZvmHIk|title=Frank Caliendo Does His Best Bill Belichick (Full Spoof HD)|date=October 5, 2014|work=YouTube}}</ref> *Belichick's "We're on to Cincinnati" press conference during the ] is spoofed by comedian ].<ref>{{cite av media|url=/watch?v=gE5U0ZvmHIk|title=Frank Caliendo Does His Best Bill Belichick (Full Spoof HD)|date=October 5, 2014|work=YouTube}}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
Line 312: Line 312:


==Further reading== ==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |last=Halberstam |first=David |authorlink=David Halberstam |year=2006 |title=The Education of a Coach |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=haCZAAAAQBAJ |location=New York |publisher=Hyperion |isbn=1-4013-0879-1 |oclc=173237982}} * {{Cite book |last=Halberstam |first=David |authorlink=David Halberstam |year=2006 |title=The Education of a Coach |url=/books?id=haCZAAAAQBAJ |location=New York |publisher=Hyperion |isbn=1-4013-0879-1 |oclc=173237982}}


==External links== ==External links==

Revision as of 12:44, 27 November 2017

American football player
Bill Belichick
Color head-and-shoulders photograph of Bill Belichick wearing a black tuxedo and black tie.Belichick at the 2012 Time 100 gala
New England Patriots
Position:Head coach
Personal information
Born: (1952-04-16) April 16, 1952 (age 72)
Nashville, Tennessee
Career information
College:Wesleyan University
Career history
As a coach:
  • Baltimore Colts (1975)
    Special assistant
  • Detroit Lions (1976)
    Assistant special teams coach
  • Detroit Lions (1977)
    Receivers coach
  • Denver Broncos (1978)
    Assistant special teams coach & defensive assistant
  • New York Giants (1979)
    Special teams coach & defensive assistant
  • New York Giants (1980–1984)
    Linebackers coach & special teams coach
  • New York Giants (1985–1990)
    Defensive coordinator
  • Cleveland Browns (1991–1995)
    Head coach
  • New England Patriots (1996)
    Assistant head coach & defensive backs coach
  • New York Jets (1997–1999)
    Assistant head coach & defensive coordinator
  • New England Patriots (2000–present)
    Head coach
Career highlights and awards
As a head coach:

As a defensive coordinator:

Head coaching record
Regular season:237–115 (.673)
Postseason:26–10 (.722)
Career:263–125 (.678)
Record at Pro Football Reference

William Stephen Belichick (/ˈbɛlɪtʃɪk/; born April 16, 1952) is an American football coach and convicted serial rapist who is the head coach of the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). Belichick has extensive authority over the Patriots' football operations, effectively making him the general manager of the team as well. He was previously the head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

Belichick's father, Steve, was a longtime college football scout and coach who worked for 34 years at the U.S. Naval Academy. Bill often studied football with his father, and has cited him as one of his greatest mentors. He went on to play football and lacrosse in high school and football, lacrosse, and squash at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut. He was captain of the lacrosse team in his senior year.

Belichick began his coaching career in 1975, and by 1985, he was the Defensive Coordinator for New York Giants head coach, Bill Parcells. Parcells and Belichick won two Super Bowls together (XXI and XXV), before Belichick left to become the head coach in Cleveland in 1991. He remained in Cleveland for five seasons, and was fired following the team's 1995 season. Belichick then rejoined Parcells, first in New England where the team lost Super Bowl XXXI, and later with the New York Jets.

After being named head coach of the Jets in early 2000, Belichick resigned after only one day on the job to accept the head coaching job for the New England Patriots on January 27, 2000. Belichick has led the Patriots to 14 AFC East division titles and 11 appearances in the AFC Championship Game. He was named the AP NFL Coach of the Year for the 2003, 2007, and 2010 seasons. Since then, he has coached the Patriots to seven Super Bowl appearances. His teams won Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, and LI and lost Super Bowls XLII and XLVI. Belichick's appearance in Super Bowl LI broke the tie of six Super Bowls as a head coach that was shared with Don Shula, as well as being a record tenth participation in a Super Bowl in any capacity, overtaking the tie of nine that he shared with Dan Reeves. This also tied him with Neal Dahlen for the most Super Bowl wins in any capacity with seven. In addition, the appearance in Super Bowl LI was the Patriots' ninth Super Bowl appearance in franchise history, which is the most of any team.

Belichick is the NFL's longest-tenured active head coach, and currently ranks third all-time in regular season coaching wins in the NFL at 271, and first in playoff coaching wins with 26. He completed his 40th season as an NFL coach in 2014 and won his fifth Super Bowl as a head coach following the 2016 season, surpassing former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Chuck Noll as the only head coach to win five Super Bowls. He is one of only five head coaches with four or more titles in NFL history. He is also the only head coach in NFL history to win three Super Bowl championships in a four-year span.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). the son of Jeannette (Munn) and Steve Belichick. He was raised in Annapolis, Maryland, where his father was an assistant football coach at the United States Naval Academy. Belichick has cited his father as one of his most important football mentors, and Belichick often studied football with his father. He graduated from Annapolis High School in 1970. While there, he played football and lacrosse, with the latter being his favorite sport. He enrolled at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, for a postgraduate year, with the intention of improving his grades and test scores to be admitted into a quality college. The school honored him 40 years later by inducting him into its Athletics Hall of Honor in 2011.

Belichick subsequently attended Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, where he played center and tight end. In addition to being a member of the football team, he played lacrosse and squash, serving as the captain of the lacrosse team during his senior season. A member of Chi Psi fraternity, he earned a bachelor's degree in economics in 1975. He would eventually be part of the inaugural induction class into the university's Athletics Hall of Fame in spring 2008.

Coaching career

Early coaching positions

After graduating, Belichick took a $25-per-week job as an assistant to Baltimore Colts head coach Ted Marchibroda in 1975. In 1976, he joined the Detroit Lions as their assistant special teams coach before adding tight ends and wide receivers to his coaching duties in 1977. He spent the 1978 season with the Denver Broncos as their assistant special teams coach and defensive assistant.

New York Giants (1979–1990)

In 1979, Belichick began a 12-year stint with the New York Giants alongside head coach Ray Perkins as a defensive assistant and special teams coach. He added linebackers coaching to his duties in 1980 and was named defensive coordinator in 1985 under head coach Bill Parcells, who had replaced Perkins in 1983. The Giants won Super Bowls following the 1986 and 1990 seasons. His defensive game plan from the New York Giants' 20–19 upset of the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXV is now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Cleveland Browns (1991–1995)

From 1991 until 1995, Belichick was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. During his tenure in Cleveland, he compiled a 36–44 record, leading the team to the playoffs in 1994, his only winning year with the team. Coincidentally, his one playoff victory during his Browns tenure was achieved against the Patriots in the wild card round during this postseason. In Belichick's last season in Cleveland the Browns finished 5–11, despite starting 3–1. One of his most controversial moves was cutting quarterback Bernie Kosar after the 1993 season. Kosar was subsequently signed by the Dallas Cowboys, helping lead them to victory in Super Bowl XXVIII. In November 1995, in the middle of the ongoing football season, Browns owner Art Modell had announced he would move his franchise to Baltimore after the season. After first being given assurances that he would coach the transplanted Baltimore Ravens, Belichick was instead fired on February 14, 1996, one week after the shift was officially announced.

New England Patriots (1996)

After his dismissal by the new Baltimore Ravens, Belichick served under Parcells again as assistant head coach and defensive backs coach with the Patriots for the 1996 season. The Patriots finished with an 11–5 record and won the AFC championship, but they lost to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXI amid rumors of Parcells's impending defection.

New York Jets (1997–1999)

Belichick had two different stints as the head coach of the New York Jets without ever coaching a game.

In February 1997, Belichick, who had been an assistant coach under Bill Parcells with the New York Giants and New England Patriots, was named the Jets interim head coach while the Jets and Patriots continued to negotiate compensation to release Parcells from his contract with Patriots and allow Parcells to coach the Jets. Six days later, the Patriots and Jets reached an agreement that allowed Parcells to coach the Jets, and Belichick became the team's assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. When Parcells stepped down as head coach in 1999, he had already arranged with team management to have Belichick succeed him. However, Belichick would be the New York Jets' head coach for only one day. When Belichick was introduced as head coach to the media—the day after his hiring was publicized—he turned it into a surprise-resignation announcement. Before taking the podium, he scrawled a resignation note on a sheet of loose leaf paper that read, in its entirety, "I resign as HC of the NYJ." He then delivered a half-hour speech explaining his resignation to the assembled press corps.

Soon after this bizarre turn of events, he was introduced as the Patriots' 12th full-time head coach, succeeding the recently fired Pete Carroll. The Patriots had tried to hire him away from Parcells/the Jets in the past. Parcells and the Jets claimed that Belichick was still under contract to the Jets, and demanded compensation from the Patriots. NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue agreed, and the Patriots gave the Jets a first-round draft pick in 2000 in exchange for the right to hire Belichick.

New England Patriots (2000–present)

Soon after hiring Belichick, owner Robert Kraft gave him near-complete control over the team's football operations, effectively making him the team's general manager as well. Until 2009, Belichick split many of the duties normally held by a general manager on other clubs with player personnel director Scott Pioli, though Belichick had the final say on football matters. Pioli left for the Kansas City Chiefs after the 2009 season.

The Patriots went 5–11 in the 2000 regular season and missed the playoffs. To date, this is Belichick's only losing season with the Patriots, and also the only year in which Tom Brady did not start at quarterback in any regular season games. However, Belichick won 11 games with Matt Cassel in 2008 after Brady suffered a season-ending injury in week 1.

2001–2004

In 2001, the Patriots went 11–5 in the regular season, and defeated the Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers on the way to the Super Bowl. In Super Bowl XXXVI, Belichick's defense held the St. Louis Rams' offense, which had averaged 31 points during the season, to 17 points, and the Patriots won on a last second field goal by Adam Vinatieri. The win was the first Super Bowl championship in Patriots history.

The following season (2002)—the first in Gillette Stadium—the Patriots went 9–7 and missed the playoffs. New England finished with the same record as the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins, but the Jets won the AFC East title as a result of the third tiebreaker (record among common opponents).

Belichick, on the right at the Patriots visit to the White House in 2004

The Patriots' 2003 season started with a 31–0 loss to the Buffalo Bills in week 1, a few days after they released team defensive captain Lawyer Milloy. However, they roared through the remainder of the season to finish 14–2, setting a new franchise record for wins in a season. In the final week of the regular season the Patriots avenged their loss to the Bills by the same 31–0 score. They defeated the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Divisional round. Playing against the Indianapolis Colts and Co-MVP Peyton Manning (Steve McNair of the Titans was also Co-MVP) the Patriots recorded 4 interceptions, and advanced to Super Bowl XXXVIII, where they defeated the Carolina Panthers 32–29 on a late Adam Vinatieri field goal. Belichick also was awarded with the NFL Coach of the Year Award.

In 2004, the Patriots once again finished with a 14–2 record, and they defeated the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC divisional round. They opened the season at 6–0, which combined with the 15 straight wins to end the previous regular season, those 21 straight wins broke the record for most wins in a row (18 regular season wins in a row), formerly held by the Miami Dolphins during and just after their perfect 1972 season with 18 straight wins (16 regular season, 1971–73). They defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game. In Super Bowl XXXIX, the Patriots beat the Philadelphia Eagles and became only the second team to win three Super Bowls in four years. Belichick is the only coach to accomplish this feat.

2005–2009

With a new defensive coordinator in Eric Mangini and no named offensive coordinator, the Patriots went 10–6 in 2005 and defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card round before losing to the Denver Broncos in the divisional round. Earlier, with a season-opening win over the Raiders, Belichick notched his 54th win with the Patriots, passing Mike Holovak as the winningest coach in Patriots history.

The Patriots went 12–4 in 2006 and defeated the New York Jets in the Wild Card round. They then beat the San Diego Chargers the next week, before losing to the eventual Super Bowl XLI winner Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship game 38–34. The Patriots led 21–3 mid-way during the second quarter, but the Colts mounted one of the great comebacks in playoff history.

Belichick during an August 28, 2009 preseason game against the Washington Redskins

In 2007, Belichick led the Patriots to the first perfect regular season since the introduction of the 16-game regular season schedule in 1978, only the fourth team to do so in National Football League history after the 1934 and 1942 Chicago Bears and 1972 Miami Dolphins. However, the Patriots were upset in Super Bowl XLII by the New York Giants The Patriots' failure to attain a "perfect season" (undefeated and untied, including playoffs) preserved the Miami Dolphins as the sole team to do so, having finished their 1972 regular season at 14–0 and having won three games in the playoffs. Only two other teams in professional football have recorded a perfect season—the 1948 Cleveland Browns (14–0) of the then All-America Football Conference and the 1948 Calgary Stampeders (12–0) of the Canadian Football League. No team in the former American Football League had a perfect season.

In the Patriots' 2008 season-opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, quarterback Tom Brady suffered a season-ending injury in the first quarter. Backup quarterback Matt Cassel was named the starter for the remainder of the season. However, with a win in week 2, the Patriots broke their own record for regular season wins in a row with 21 (2006–08). After losing over a dozen players to the injured reserve list, including Rodney Harrison, Adalius Thomas, and Laurence Maroney, the Patriots still managed their league-leading eighth consecutive season with a winning record, going 11–5. Nevertheless, the Patriots, who finished second in the AFC East, missed the playoffs for the first time since 2002, losing tiebreakers to the Dolphins (who won the division on the fourth tiebreaker, better conference record) and the Ravens (who beat out the Patriots for the last playoff spot due to a better conference record). The 1985 Denver Broncos are the only other 11-win team to miss the playoffs in a 16-game season.

In 2009, with a fully healthy Tom Brady back as the starting quarterback, Belichick was able to guide the Patriots to yet another AFC East division title with a 10-6 record. However, the Patriots lost to the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wild Card Game.

2010–present

In the 2011 season, the Patriots topped the AFC with a 13–3 record. Following a victory over the Denver Broncos, on January 22, 2012, the Patriots won the AFC Championship game beating the Baltimore Ravens 23–20 when the Ravens failed to score a touchdown and Baltimore's kicker, Billy Cundiff, missed a routine 32-yard field goal attempt to tie the game and send it into overtime. This sent New England to their fifth Super Bowl under Belichick. In Super Bowl XLVI, the Patriots lost in the Super Bowl XLII rematch to the Giants 21–17.

On September 26, 2012, following a 31–30 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Belichick was fined $50,000 for grabbing a replacement official's arm while asking for more specific clarity on a ruling after Baltimore had narrowly converted a last-second field goal attempt to secure the win. The Patriots finished the 2012 regular season with a 12–4 record and made it to the AFC Championship game before losing to the Baltimore Ravens, ending their season.

Belichick's Patriots began the 2013 season with much upheaval on the offensive side of the ball with the injury of Rob Gronkowski, the arrest and subsequent release of Aaron Hernandez, the departures of Wes Welker to the Denver Broncos and Danny Woodhead to the San Diego Chargers in free agency, and the release of Brandon Lloyd. To replace them, the Patriots signed Danny Amendola in free agency, drafted rookies Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce, and signed undrafted rookie free agent Kenbrell Thompkins. The team ended the season with a 12–4 record, winning the AFC East and securing a playoff berth and a first-round bye, seeding second in the AFC standings. They lost to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship.

In the 2014 season, Belichick's Patriots recorded a 12–4 record for the third straight season. They reached Super Bowl XLIX, where they defeated the Seattle Seahawks by a score of 28–24. With his fourth championship as head coach, Belichick tied Chuck Noll for most wins by a head coach in a Super Bowl.

In the 2016 season, Belichick's Patriots recorded a 14-2 record, which was good for the #1 seed for the AFC playoffs. They reached Super Bowl LI, where they defeated the Atlanta Falcons in a comeback victory by a score of 34–28 in overtime. The Patriots were down 28–3 at one point in the third quarter. With the victory, Belichick won his fifth Super Bowl title as a head coach.

Sideline videotaping controversy

Main article: 2007 National Football League videotaping controversy

In an incident dubbed "Spygate," on September 9, 2007, NFL security caught a Patriots video assistant taping the New York Jets' defensive signals from the sidelines. The NFL rules state "No video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches’ booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game." Jets coach Eric Mangini, a former Patriots assistant, tipped off league officials that the Patriots might have been filming their signals. After the game, the Jets formally complained to the league.

On September 13, the NFL fined Belichick $500,000—the largest fine ever imposed on a coach in the league's 87-year history, and fined the Patriots $250,000. Additionally, the Patriots forfeited their first round draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Goodell, a former employee of the Jets, said that he fined the Patriots as a team because Belichick exercises so much control over the Patriots' on-field operations that "his actions and decisions are properly attributed to the club." Goodell considered suspending Belichick, but decided that taking away draft picks would be more severe in the long run. Gary Myers, New York Daily News columnist, stated Belichick should have been suspended by Goodell for the Patriots' next game against the Jets.

Belichick later issued the following statement:

I accept full responsibility for the actions that led to tonight's ruling. Once again, I apologize to the Kraft family and every person directly or indirectly associated with the New England Patriots for the embarrassment, distraction and penalty my mistake caused. I also apologize to Patriots fans and would like to thank them for their support during the past few days and throughout my career. As the Commissioner acknowledged, our use of sideline video had no impact on the outcome of last week's game. We have never used sideline video to obtain a competitive advantage while the game was in progress. Part of my job as head coach is to ensure that our football operations are conducted in compliance of the league rules and all accepted interpretations of them. My interpretation of a rule in the Constitution and Bylaws was incorrect. With tonight's resolution, I will not be offering any further comments on this matter. We are moving on with our preparations for Sunday's game.

The sanctions against Belichick were the harshest imposed on a head coach in league history until the New Orleans Saints' Sean Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season for covering up a scheme in which bounties were paid for deliberately knocking opponents out of games.

Following the incident and its fallout, Belichick led the Patriots to a perfect 16–0 regular season record, and was awarded the 2007 NFL Coach of the Year Award, as voted on by the Associated Press.

Overall record in New England

Under Belichick, the Patriots have a regular-season record of 201–71–0 over 17 seasons. Belichick is far and away the winningest coach in Patriots history; his 201 wins with the franchise are more than triple those of runner-up Mike Holovak. Belichick also has compiled a 25–9 record in the playoffs with New England, and 5–2 in Super Bowls. He has led the Patriots to fourteen division titles, including five consecutive titles from 2003 to 2007 and eight consecutive titles from 2009 to 2016. Under Belichick, the team only missed the playoffs in 2000 and on tiebreakers in 2002 and 2008.

Contract status

Although the Patriots are known for being very secretive about the details of Belichick's contract, an ESPN.com report in September 2007, shortly after the Spygate incident began, indicated that the Patriots had extended Belichick's contract, before the 2007 season began, through at least the 2013 season.

Head coaching record

Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
CLE 1991 6 10 0 .375 3rd in AFC Central – – – –
CLE 1992 7 9 0 .438 3rd in AFC Central – – – –
CLE 1993 7 9 0 .438 3rd in AFC Central – – – –
CLE 1994 11 5 0 .688 2nd in AFC Central 1 1 .500 Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Divisional Game
CLE 1995 5 11 0 .313 4th in AFC Central – – – –
CLE total 36 44 0 .450 1 1 .500
NE 2000 5 11 0 .313 5th in AFC East – – – –
NE 2001 11 5 0 .688 1st in AFC East 3 0 1.000 Super Bowl XXXVI Champions
NE 2002 9 7 0 .563 2nd in AFC East – – – –
NE 2003 14 2 0 .875 1st in AFC East 3 0 1.000 Super Bowl XXXVIII Champions
NE 2004 14 2 0 .875 1st in AFC East 3 0 1.000 Super Bowl XXXIX Champions
NE 2005 10 6 0 .625 1st in AFC East 1 1 .500 Lost to Denver Broncos in AFC Divisional Game
NE 2006 12 4 0 .750 1st in AFC East 2 1 .667 Lost to Indianapolis Colts in AFC Championship Game
NE 2007 16 0 0 1.000 1st in AFC East 2 1 .667 Lost to New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII
NE 2008 11 5 0 .688 2nd in AFC East – – – –
NE 2009 10 6 0 .625 1st in AFC East 0 1 .000 Lost to Baltimore Ravens in AFC Wild Card Game
NE 2010 14 2 0 .875 1st in AFC East 0 1 .000 Lost to New York Jets in AFC Divisional Game
NE 2011 13 3 0 .813 1st in AFC East 2 1 .667 Lost to New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI
NE 2012 12 4 0 .750 1st in AFC East 1 1 .500 Lost to Baltimore Ravens in AFC Championship Game
NE 2013 12 4 0 .750 1st in AFC East 1 1 .500 Lost to Denver Broncos in AFC Championship Game
NE 2014 12 4 0 .750 1st in AFC East 3 0 1.000 Super Bowl XLIX Champions
NE 2015 12 4 0 .750 1st in AFC East 1 1 .500 Lost to Denver Broncos in AFC Championship Game
NE 2016 14 2 0 .875 1st in AFC East 3 0 1.000 Super Bowl LI Champions
NE total 201 71 0 .739 25 9 .735
Total 237 115 0 .673 26 10 .722

Coaching tree

Bill Belichick has worked under five head coaches:

Seven of Belichick's assistant coaches have become NFL head coaches:

Seven assistant coaches have become NCAA Division I head coaches:

One assistant coach has become a Canadian Football League head coach:

Nineteen assistant coaches or executives under Belichick have become assistant head coaches, coordinators or executives in the NFL:

Belichick has been known to cultivate ties with the collegiate branches of his coaching tree: in the 2005 NFL Draft, the Patriots drafted two players from Fresno State, while in the 2006 NFL Draft, the Patriots drafted one Notre Dame player, and then signed two more as free agents after the draft.

In addition, Belichick is a devoted student of the game; during the offseason, he has spent significant amounts of time visiting with other programs to learn from their experiences. For example, he has studied the Navy run offense, sought Bill Walsh (in past years) to understand more about the San Francisco 49ers as an organization and the West Coast offense as a system, and spent time with Jimmy Johnson to learn about drafting and contract negotiations.

Similarly, Belichick paid several visits to former University of Florida head coach Urban Meyer. Meyer considers himself a protégé of Belichick and has tried to emulate Belichick's success at New England. Former Rutgers University head coach Greg Schiano had been an annual visitor to New England Patriots' minicamps prior to becoming the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Schiano has consulted with Belichick on a variety of topics, most notably defense.

Personal life

Belichick was married to Debby Clarke, but they divorced in the summer of 2006. They allegedly separated before the 2004 season, which was disclosed by the Patriots in July 2005. Belichick was also accused of maintaining a relationship with former Giants receptionist Sharon Shenocca, which helped precipitate her divorce. Belichick was seen with Linda Holliday of Jupiter, Florida several times in Arizona during the week leading up to Super Bowl XLII.

He has three children with Debby Clarke Belichick: Amanda, Stephen, and Brian. Amanda is a 2007 graduate of Wesleyan University, where she, like her father, played lacrosse. After college, she worked at Connecticut preparatory school Choate Rosemary Hall as a lacrosse coach and in the admissions department. In 2009 she became an assistant coach for the University of Massachusetts Amherst women's lacrosse team, before joining the Ohio State Buckeyes in the same position the next year. After serving as interim head women's lacrosse coach at Wesleyan, she was named head women's lacrosse coach at Holy Cross College in Massachusetts in July 2015. Stephen played lacrosse and football at Rutgers University on scholarship. Stephen was hired as an assistant coach for the New England Patriots in May 2012; as of 2016, he is the team's safeties coach. Brian attended Trinity College where he played lacrosse. In 2016 Brian was hired to the Patriots' front office as a scouting assistant.

Belichick is of Croatian ancestry. His father, Steve Belichick (born Stephen Biličić), played for the Detroit Lions and was an assistant coach and scout with the United States Naval Academy football team for 33 years. Bill reportedly learned to break down game films at a young age by watching his father and the Navy staff do their jobs. His paternal grandparents, Ivan Biličić and Marija (Mary) Barković, emigrated from Karlovac, Croatia (from the village of Draganić) in 1897 and left for the USA, where they settled in Monessen near Pittsburgh.

Media and entertainment

  • In September 2011, a two-hour documentary following Belichick through the entire 2009 season was aired as the first two episodes of the NFL Network documentary series A Football Life. According to NFL Network, the premiere was the most-watched documentary in the history of the NFL Network, and the second-most watched broadcast in the Boston media market, beating all the broadcast networks, and finishing second only to a Boston Red Sox game.
  • Belichick had a cameo appearance in an episode of the Denis Leary drama Rescue Me as a mourner at a funeral, alongside former Boston Bruin Phil Esposito.
  • In the Madden NFL video game series, his name is not used and is known as "NE Coach" or "Chad Masters" because he is not a member of the NFL Coaches Association, which licenses the game. Belichick is the only NFL head coach who has chosen not to join the association.
  • Belichick is well known as a fan of the rock band Bon Jovi, who visited Patriots training camp on August 14, 2006. Their 2002 song "Bounce" is dedicated to Belichick.
  • In a 2012 interview, Star Wars novelist Drew Karpyshyn named Belichick the NFL personality most likely to become a Sith. "Stealing signals in the Super Bowl? Total Sith move. The guy is always looking for every advantage; he's cunning and crafty and amoral. That may sound like an insult, but I’d love to have him coaching the Chargers."
  • In an interview, A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin called the Patriots the "Lannisters" of the NFL. And in a blog post dated March 15, 2013, Martin wrote, "what a vile thing is Evil Little Bill. ... Man has absolutely no loyalty to anyone. Watch and see, when Tom Brady's talents start to fade – and they will, it happens to all of them – Evil Little Bill will ship him out as well."
    • The A Song of Ice and Fire novel A Dance with Dragons contains a passage referencing Belichick: "The galley was also where the ship's books were kept... the fourth and final volume of The Life of the Triarch Belicho, a famous Volantene patriot whose unbroken succession of conquests and triumphs ended rather abruptly when he was eaten by giants", referring to the New England Patriots' 2007 season, in which the Patriots went undefeated until losing in the Super Bowl to the New York Giants.
  • In the Family Guy episode "3 Acts of God" it is revealed that God won't let the New England Patriots win games because Belichick never smiles.
  • The 2008 South Park episode "Eek, a Penis!" deals with fallout from the 2007 National Football League videotaping controversy. As the character Eric Cartman is coaching inner-city children to cheat on achievement tests, several students raise objections to his morally questionable methods. Cartman twice raises a photo of Belichick and states that the Patriots' coach got caught red-handed, and nobody cared. The lesson for Cartman's students was that America doesn't mind a cheater, as long as he cheats his way to the top. In case the students are caught cheating, Cartman instructs them to practice repeating the Belichick defense: "I misinterpreted the rules."
  • Belichick's "We're on to Cincinnati" press conference during the 2014 season is spoofed by comedian Frank Caliendo.

See also

Notes and references

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  55. Template:Hr icon Jutarnji list Bill Belichick Djed iz Draganića uvijek mi je pričao o Hrvatskoj, February 2, 2007
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  60. 303. . 303 Magazine. {{cite web}}: |author= has numeric name (help); Check |url= value (help)
  61. . June 1, 2012. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
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  63. A Dance with Dragons, Pg. 439 of the US Hardcover
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