FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 11: Head coach Bill Belichick (L) of the New England Patriots shakes hands with owner Robert Kraft (R) during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Belichick announced he is stepping down as head coach after 24 seasons with the team. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images Belichick’s departure leaves eight NFL teams without a head coach, with speculation rampant about where he might coach next or if he would retire at age 71.
New England captured NFL crowns under Belichick in the 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016 and 2018 seasons.
Belichick owns NFL coaching records for Super Bowl wins and appearances as a head coach with nine. His 31 playoff game triumphs is another coaching mark.
“For me, this is a day of gratitude and celebration,” Belichick said. “We had a vision of building a winner, building a championship football team here, and that exceeded my wildest dreams and expectations with the amount of success we were able to achieve together.” While not mentioning any players specifically, Belichick noted, “I’ve been very fortunate to coach some of the greatest players who have ever played.” Kraft said the split was made on Wednesday.
“We mutually agreed to part ways amicably,” Kraft said. “I’m very proud our partnership lasted 24 years. I don’t think in the NFL there has been any other partnership that lasted longer and has been as productive as ours.
“What Bill accomplished with us in my opinion will never be replicated. And the fact it was done in the salary cap and free agency era makes it even more extraordinary.” The Patriots will embark on their first head coaching search in a quarter-century. They will also need to hire a general manager, since Belichick was the de facto director of player personnel.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 11: Head coach Bill Belichick (L) of the New England Patriots speaks to the media as owner Robert Kraft (R) looks on during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Belichick announced he is stepping down as head coach after 24 seasons with the team. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Maddie Meyer / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) Source: AFP – Exceeded expectations –
Belichick began his NFL career in 1975 as an assistant coach for the then-Baltimore Colts and just completed his 49th consecutive season in the NFL.
His departure comes only hours after legendary University of Alabama coach Nick Saban, a long-time friend of Belichick, retired as coach of the college football powerhouse, a talent factory for the NFL.
Belichick, known for his glowering presence on the sidelines while wearing a hoodie and headset, took over as coach in 2000, replacing Pete Carroll, who parted ways with the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday at age 72 after 14 seasons.
“We had high expectations for what we could achieve together,” Kraft said. “I think we were the only ones who had those expectations and I think it’s safe to say we exceeded them.” When superstar quarterback Brady departed after the 2019 campaign, Belichick’s Patriots began to struggle. New England has missed the NFL playoffs three of the past four seasons.
Belichick’s nine total Super Bowl appearances with the Patriots are more than any team in the NFL except for New England.
New England went 266-120 under Belichick over 24 seasons and won 17 AFC East division titles, the most by any head coach with a single club, including a record 11 straight from 2009-2019.
Belichick was also a member of two Super Bowl championship teams with the New York Giants as a defensive coordinator.
While Belichick became a legend with the Patriots, New England was not his first stop as an NFL head coach. He went 36-44 in five seasons with the Cleveland Browns from 1991 through 1995, but managed only one winning season and one playoff win.
