Bill Belichick, New England Patriots split after 24 seasons
Bill Belichick: The coach has won six Super Bowl titles but suffered through a frustrating 4-13 season in 2023 -- his worst as a head coach. (Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
By Bob D'Angelo and Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Bill Belichick, who took New England to nine Super Bowls and won six of them over a 24-season career as the team’s head coach, is parting ways with the Patriots.
Kraft says Belichick’s exit ‘represents the end of an era’
Update 1:10 p.m. EST Jan. 11: At a news conference on Thursday, Patriots owner Robert Kraft said Belichick “will forever be celebrated as a legendary sports icon here in New England.”
“This is a move we mutually agreed is needed at this time,” he said, according to WFXT. “It represents the end of an era that will hopefully always be celebrated in this region.”
— Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Belichick: ‘For me, this is a day of ... gratitude and celebration’
Update 12:45 p.m. EST Jan. 11: At a news conference, Belichick said he was proud of his time with the Patriots and that he will carry memories of the experience with him for the rest of his life.
“For me this is a day of, you know, gratitude and celebration,” he said, thanking Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his family.
“It’s an amazing opportunity. I received tremendous support,” he said. “We had a vision of building a winner, building a championship football team here, and that’s exceeded my wildest dreams and expectations, the amount of success that we were able to achieve together, you know, through a lot of hard work and the contributions of so many people.”
— Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Patriots confirm Belichick’s exit
Update 12:35 p.m. EST Jan. 11: The Patriots confirmed the split in a statement on Thursday.
“The Patriots and Bill Belichick have mutually agreed to part ways,” the statement read.
The team also released a statement from Belichick.
“I will always be a Patriot,” he said. “I look forward to coming back here. But at this time, we’re going to move on. I’m excited about the future.”
— Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
“Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots are expected to part ways today after a remarkable 24 seasons together, ending an unmatched run in NFL history that included six Super Bowl titles,” Schefter wrote on social media, saying he got the information from league sources.
Rapoport wrote, “The Patriots are moving on and so is the greatest coach of all time,” adding, “A new era awaits.”
The Associated Press reported that team owner Robert Kraft and Belichick will hold a news conference on Thursday.
Earlier this week, Belichick said he would be willing to give up his role in personnel control, but refused to say that he would be open to coaching another team, our sister station WFXT reported.
The Patriots ended the 2023 season with a 17-3 loss to the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium.
Belichick, 71, the winningest active NFL coach and second all-time behind Hall of Fame coach Don Shula, struggled through a 4-13 season in 2023, the worst mark of his 29 seasons as a head coach. He has coached the Patriots since the 2000 season and had a 266-121 regular-season record with New England. He also won 30 playoff games as the Patriots’ coach.
Belichick had a 36-44 record as head coach of the Cleveland Browns from 1991 to 1995.
His 333 career wins, including the postseason, are second only to Shula’s 347. Belichick’s 2007 squad came the closest to duplicating Shula’s 1972 Miami Dolphins, who had an unbeaten, untied record. The Patriots finished that year with a 16-0 mark — the only team with an unblemished mark in the regular season since the NFL schedule was expanded to 16 games in 1978. New England won two playoff games but was denied a perfect season when it lost Super Bowl XLII 17-14 to the New York Giants in the final 35 seconds.
Belichick’s 31 career playoff wins are the most all-time among NFL head coaches. He led the Patriots to 19 consecutive winning seasons from 2001 to 2019, second only to the 20 achieved by Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry.
In addition to leading the Patriots to nine Super Bowls, Belichick guided New England to nine AFC titles, 17 division crowns and 30 postseason victories, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com. The team won 11 consecutive division titles from 2009 to 2019.
With Tom Brady at quarterback, Belichick led New England to victories in Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI and LIII.
In 2018, Belichick led New England to its third consecutive Super Bowl berth, matching Shula. Buffalo’s Marv Levy led the Bills to four straight Super Bowls during the 1990s.
While Brady grabbed most of the offensive limelight — and deservedly so — it was Belichick’s planning, particularly on defense, that helped the Patriots reach the Super Bowl nine times. His defense held the St. Louis Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” squad to 17 points in Super Bowl XXXVI, and he outsmarted Pete Carroll by being prepared for a goal-line pass against Seattle, as Malcolm Butler picked off a pass that preserved a 28-24 victory against the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX.
Belichick became the third coach in NFL history to win 300 games, achieving the feat against — ironically — the Cleveland Browns, in a 27-13 victory on Oct. 27, 2019.
Born April 16, 1952, in Nashville, Tennessee, Stephen William Belichick attended Wesleyan College. His father, Steve Belichick, was a high school football and basketball star, and, later, head football coach at Hiram College in Ohio from 1946 to 1946. The Cleveland Browns practiced at the school during that time, The Athletic reported.
Steve Belichick then launched a long career as a college football assistant, with stops at Vanderbilt (1949-1952), North Carolina (1953-1955) and the U.S. Naval Academy (1956-1989). Bill Belichick attended high school in Annapolis, Maryland, while his father coached at Navy.
Bill Belichick was hired for his first professional job with the Baltimore Colts in 1975. The following year, Belichick accepted a position as an assistant special teams coach with the Detroit Lions. He joined the Denver Broncos in 1978 as an assistant special teams coach and assistant defensive coordinator.
Beginning in 1979, Bill Belichick spent 12 seasons as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants. His defensive schemes helped the Giants and Bill Parcells win two Super Bowls in five seasons and led to a head coaching job in Cleveland, The Athletic reported.
Bill Belichick was reunited with Parcells in New England in 1996 as assistant head coach and secondary coach, and then moved with his mentor to the New York Jets in the same capacity from 1997 to 1999.
Information from Pro-Football-Reference.com, newspaper archives and the New England Patriots media guide was used in compiling this report.
Check back for more on this developing story.
Through the years HOLLYWOOD - JULY 10: NFL coach Bill Belichick of the Baltimore Ravens arrives for the 10th Annual ESPY Awards at the Kodak Theatre on July 10, 2002 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Robert Mora/Getty Images) (Robert Mora/Getty Images)
Through the years HOUSTON - JANUARY 26: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots answers questions from the media January 26, 2003 at the Houston Convention Center before Super Bowl XXXVIII against the Carolina Panthers in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) (Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON - APRIL 13: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (L) presents U.S. President George W. Bush (R) with a football during a Rose Garden event to honor the Super Bowl champions at the White House April 13, 2005 in Washington, DC. The Patriots have won three Championships in the last four years. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Through the years FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Head coach Bill Belchick of the New England Patriots stands on the sidelines during a break in play agaiinst the San Diego Chargers during the AFC Championship Game on January 20, 2008 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
Through the years HONOLULU - JANUARY 30: Bill Bilichick, head coach of the American Football Conference team stands on the sideline during the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on January 30, 2011 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images) (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
Through the years FOXBOROUGH, MA - CIRCA 2011: In this handout image provided by the NFL, Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots poses for his NFL headshot circa 2011 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by NFL via Getty Images) (Handout/Getty Images)
Through the years FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 13: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots wlaks past head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots against the Houston Texans during the 2013 AFC Divisional Playoffs game at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Through the years FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 13: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots talks with his team during the 2013 AFC Divisional Playoffs game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Through the years FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 12: Bill Belichick reacts after D'Brickashaw Ferguson #60 of the New York Jets shoved Aqib Talib #31 of the New England Patriots, who intercepted a pass, in the 4th quarter at Gillette Stadium on September 12, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Through the years ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 29: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots converses with head coach Bill Belichick during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on September 29, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Through the years FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 12: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots talks to his team in the first quarter while taking on the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on September 12, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Through the years FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 3: Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots shakes hands with Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers after their game at Gillette Stadium on November 3, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Through the years GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 01: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots celebrates with Darrelle Revis #24 after defeating the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots defeated the Seahawks 28-24. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Through the years GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 01: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots stands on the field during the pregame warm up prior to playing in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Through the years FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Tom Brady #12 and head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots shake hands at the start of the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Through the years HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots gives a thumbs up on the field prior to Super Bowl 51 against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Through the years HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and Tom Brady #12 celebrate after winning 34-28 over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Through the years FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 21: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates with head coach Bill Belichick after winning the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Through the years FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots reacts during the second half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Through the years ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks to head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots after the Patriots defeat the Rams 13-3 during Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Through the years MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 11: Head coach Bill Belichick and Mac Jones #10 look on during pregame at Hard Rock Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Through the years GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 02: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers talk after Green Bay's 27-24 win in overtime at Lambeau Field on October 02, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Through the years GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 12: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 12, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Through the years FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 01: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots reacts against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Gillette Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images) (Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Through the years FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 08: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots reacts during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images) (Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Through the years FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 03: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots walks off the field after losing to the Los Angeles Chargers 6-0 at Gillette Stadium on December 03, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Through the years FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 07: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on in the first half at Gillette Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images) (Winslow Townson/Getty Images)