After 24 seasons, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots have mutually agreed to part ways as per NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
Bill Belichick departs New England Patriots
In his 24 seasons in Foxborough, Belichick guided one of the most decorated teams in NFL history. Under his supervision, the Patriots secured six Super Bowls, tied for most by a franchise in NFL history, with nine Super Bowl appearances. Bill Belichick has more Super Bowl appearances as a head coach than every franchise save one, the Patriots (11).
In the 24 seasons under Belichick, New England assembled a 266-120 regular-season record and won 17 AFC East titles which included 11 straight from 2009-2019, the longest streak in NFL history. The 17 division titles are the most ever by any head coach with a single club, five better than the next closest — Tom Landry (12).
Bill Belichick also steered them to 296 total wins with the Patriots, including playoffs, the second-most by any head coach with a single franchise in NFL history behind George Halas with the Bears (324).
Belichick is one of seven head coaches to spend 20-plus seasons with a single team, joining George Halas (40), Curly Lambeau (29), Tom Landry (29), Don Shula (26), Steven Owen (24), Chuck Noll (23) — all in the Hall of Fame.
Patriots tasted success under Bill Belichick
The Patriots tasted massive postseason success under Belichick, going 30-12 in 19 playoff appearances. The 30 postseason victories are more than any coach in NFL history. The six Super Bowl victories are the most by any single head coach in NFL history.
He is arguably the greatest coach of the modern era and he has received only three NFL Coach of the Year awards.
Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo has been considered for years as a possible Belichick successor, and is seen as the leading candidate for New England head coach role.
Belichick’s final season, a 4-13 campaign turned out to be worst season in the coach’s career in New England or Cleveland. The Patriots had not lost 12-plus games in a season since 1992 (went 2-14 in that season before they hired HOF Bill Parcells, Belichick’s mentor, as head coach in 1993).
New England toiled in every aspect last year and ranked in the bottom five in points per game (13.9, tied for last in the NFL) and turnover differential (-11). The Pats D allowed 21.5 points per game, the third worst in the Belichick era.
The Patriots’ season ended on January 7 with a thrashing 17-3 loss at home to the Jets.
