We can’t say we didn’t see it coming, but we’re sad to see the coach who brought us six Super Bowl wins go.
After leading the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl rings and the most successful run in the history of the NFL, Bill Belichick will reportedly no longer be coaching the team according to a post on X (formerly Twitter) from ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Mike Reiss.
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, league sources tell me and @MikeReiss. pic.twitter.com/IcibaPpA4S
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 11, 2024
Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft reportedly met this week following the conclusion of a 4-13 season (Belichick’s worst in his 24 season New England tenure).
The talks, per the full report on ESPN, were said to “have no conflict, no disagreement, and in the end, productive talks resulted in a mutual decision that left both sides comfortable and at ease.”
The sports network also reported that Belichick, who has another year on his contract, will be leaving without the Pats looking for him to compensate them for leaving early. At 71, he’s reportedly interested in continuing his coaching career. League sources say he is expected to draw interest from at least some of the other seven NFL teams that have head-coaching vacancies, such as the Atlanta Falcons.
The Pats are now looking for their first new head coach in almost 25 years, which is longer than some reading this have probably been alive. ESPN reports that linebackers coach Jerod Mayo is a leading candidate for the job. Mayo played for the Patriots from 2008 to 2014 and has been an assistant under Belichick since 2019.
Belichick was hired by the Patriots in 2000, after swiftly (and smartly) exiting a short lived gig as the head coach of the New York Jets. While his first season was disappointing, as fans know, that turned into magic when Drew Bledsoe’s injury saw Tom Brady take the starting quarterback spot in 2001.
Brady and Belichick, along with an incredible defense, led the underdog Patriots to the team’s first championship win against the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. This was only the beginning for the duo, who then went on the greatest winning run for any team and coach in modern history. The Patriots went on to win 17 division titles, went to 13 AFC Championship Games, and of course, made nine Super Bowl appearances – winning six.
However, the Patriots and Belichick, have struggled since Brady’s departure in 2021. This year, the Pats fell into last place in the division, and rumors have been bubbling up about the coach’s future with the team.
Whether he coaches another team next year, or just enjoys some time out on Nantucket, let’s just say thanks for the memories and the Super Bowl W’s.