Bill Belichick facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Bill Belichick

Belichick in 2017
Current position
Title	Head coach
Team	North Carolina
Conference	ACC
Record	0–0
Annual salary	$10 million
Biographical details
Born	(1952-04-16) April 16, 1952 (age 73) Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Playing career
1971–1974	Wesleyan
Position(s)	Center Tight end
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1975	Baltimore Colts (special assistant)
1976	Detroit Lions (assistant ST)
1977	Detroit Lions (WR/TE)
1978	Denver Broncos (assistant ST/def. assistant)
1979	New York Giants (ST/def. assistant)
1980–1984	New York Giants (ST/LB)
1985–1990	New York Giants (DC)
1991–1995	Cleveland Browns
1996	New England Patriots (assistant HC/DB)
1997–1999	New York Jets (assistant HC/DC)
2000–2023	New England Patriots
2025–present	North Carolina
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1992–1995	Cleveland Browns (De facto GM)
2000–2023	New England Patriots (De facto GM)
Head coaching record
Overall	0–0 (NCAA) 333–178 (NFL)
Tournaments	31–13 (NFL playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
As a head coach 6× Super Bowl champion (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, LIII) As an assistant coach 2× Super Bowl champion (XXI, XXV)
Awards
As a head coach 3× AP NFL Coach of the Year (2003, 2007, 2010) Maxwell Club NFL Coach of the Year (2007) NFL 2000s All-Decade Team NFL 2010s All-Decade Team NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team New England Patriots All-2000s Team New England Patriots 50th Anniversary Team New England Patriots All-2010s Team New England Patriots All-Dynasty Team As an executive PFWA Executive of the Year (2021)
Records
NFL records Most Super Bowl wins: 8 Most Super Bowl wins as a head coach: 6 Most Super Bowl appearances: 12 Most Super Bowl appearances as a head coach: 9 Most playoff wins as a head coach: 31 Most playoff appearances as a head coach: 19 (tied) Most divisional championships as a head coach: 17

Bill Belichick (born April 16, 1952) is a famous American football coach. Many people think he is one of the greatest head coaches ever. He has won more Super Bowls than any other head coach, with six titles while leading the New England Patriots. He also won two Super Bowls as a defensive coach for the New York Giants. This gives him a record eight Super Bowl wins in total as a coach.

Belichick is known for his deep understanding of football. He is often called a "student of the game." He was a key part of the Patriots' success from 2001 to 2019, working as both head coach and general manager. He started his coaching journey in 1975 with the Baltimore Colts. He became a defensive coordinator for the New York Giants in 1985, working with coach Bill Parcells.

After winning two Super Bowls with the Giants, Belichick became the head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 1991. He coached there for five seasons. He then rejoined Parcells with the New England Patriots and later the New York Jets. In 2000, he became the head coach of the Patriots. Over 24 seasons, he led them to 17 division titles and nine Super Bowl appearances, winning six of them.

Belichick has the most playoff wins (31) for a head coach in NFL history. He also ranks third in regular season wins with 302. He has been named the NFL Coach of the Year three times (2003, 2007, 2010). He is also part of the NFL's All-Decade Teams for the 2000s and 2010s, and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Early Life and School

Bill Belichick was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on April 16, 1952. His parents were Jeannette and Steve Belichick. His father was also a football coach.

Bill grew up in Annapolis, Maryland, where his father coached at the United States Naval Academy. Bill learned a lot about football from his dad. He even started studying game films at a young age. He graduated from Annapolis High School in 1970. He played both football and lacrosse there, with lacrosse being his favorite.

After high school, Belichick went to Phillips Academy to improve his grades. He then attended Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. At Wesleyan, he played football as a center and tight end. He also played lacrosse and squash, and was the captain of the lacrosse team in his final year. He earned a degree in economics in 1975. In 2008, he was inducted into Wesleyan's Athletics Hall of Fame.

Coaching Journey

Starting Out as a Coach

After college, Belichick started his coaching career in 1975. He took a job as an assistant coach for the Baltimore Colts. In 1976, he joined the Detroit Lions as an assistant special teams coach. He later coached tight ends and wide receivers for them.

In 1978, he worked for the Denver Broncos as an assistant special teams coach and defensive assistant. He also managed their game films.

New York Giants (1979–1990)

In 1979, Belichick joined the New York Giants. He spent 12 years there, first as a defensive assistant and special teams coach. In 1985, he became the defensive coordinator under head coach Bill Parcells.

The Giants won two Super Bowls with Belichick as their defensive coordinator: Super Bowl XXI (after the 1986 season) and Super Bowl XXV (after the 1990 season). His defensive game plan from the Super Bowl XXV win is even displayed in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Cleveland Browns (1991–1995)

From 1991 to 1995, Belichick was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. During his time there, his team had a record of 36 wins and 44 losses. He led the Browns to the playoffs in 1994, which was his only winning season with the team. They even won a playoff game against the New England Patriots.

In 1995, the Browns' owner announced the team would move to Baltimore. Belichick was let go in February 1996. Many sports journalists later said that Belichick had set up the Browns for future success, even though he wasn't there to see it. He learned from his time with the Browns and used those lessons to help the Patriots later on.

New England Patriots (1996)

After leaving the Browns, Belichick worked with Bill Parcells again. He became the assistant head coach and defensive backs coach for the New England Patriots in 1996. The Patriots had a great season, reaching Super Bowl XXXI, but they lost to the Green Bay Packers.

New York Jets (1997–1999)

Belichick had a very short time as head coach of the New York Jets. In 1997, he was named interim head coach while the Jets tried to get Bill Parcells to coach them. Once Parcells joined, Belichick became his assistant head coach and defensive coordinator.

When Parcells stepped down after the 1999 season, Belichick was supposed to take over. However, on January 4, 2000, the day he was introduced as head coach, he surprised everyone by resigning. He wrote a note that simply said, "I resign as HC of the NYJ."

Soon after, Belichick became the head coach of the Patriots. The Jets claimed he was still under contract, so the Patriots gave the Jets a first-round draft pick to hire him.

Return to New England (2000–2023)

When Belichick joined the Patriots, owner Robert Kraft gave him a lot of control over the team. He became the team's general manager as well. In his first season (2000), the Patriots had a record of 5 wins and 11 losses.

First Three Super Bowl Wins: 2001–2004

Belichick (right) during the Patriots' visit to the White House in 2004

In 2001, the Patriots had a great season, finishing 11–5. They won two playoff games and reached Super Bowl XXXVI. Belichick's defense played a huge role, holding the powerful St. Louis Rams offense to just 17 points. The Patriots won the game with a last-second field goal. This was the first Super Bowl championship for the Patriots.

In 2003, the Patriots started with a big loss but then went on to win 14 games and only lose 2. They won their playoff games and reached Super Bowl XXXVIII. They defeated the Carolina Panthers in another close game, winning 32–29 with a late field goal. Belichick was named the NFL Coach of the Year.

In 2004, the Patriots had another amazing 14–2 season. They won their playoff games and reached Super Bowl XXXIX. They beat the Philadelphia Eagles, becoming only the second team to win three Super Bowls in four years. Belichick is the only coach to achieve this.

Perfect Regular Season and More: 2005–2009

Belichick during a preseason game in August 2009

In 2005, the Patriots won 10 games. Belichick became the winningest coach in Patriots history that season. In 2006, they won 12 games but lost a close game to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship.

In 2007, Belichick led the Patriots to a perfect 16–0 regular season. This was only the fourth team in NFL history to do so. They won their playoff games and reached Super Bowl XLII. However, they were upset by the New York Giants in a very close game, losing 17–14. This loss prevented them from having a "perfect season" (undefeated in both regular season and playoffs).

In 2008, star quarterback Tom Brady got injured early in the season. Despite this, the Patriots still managed to win 11 games, but they missed the playoffs. In 2009, with Brady back, the Patriots won their division with a 10–6 record but lost in the first round of the playoffs.

Spygate Incident

In 2007, during a game against the New York Jets, a Patriots video assistant was caught taping the Jets' defensive signals from an unapproved area. NFL rules do not allow video recording devices in certain areas during a game.

The NFL fined Belichick $500,000, which was the largest fine ever for a coach at that time. The Patriots team was also fined $250,000 and lost a first-round draft pick. Belichick apologized, saying he made a mistake in interpreting the rules. He stated that the video recording did not affect the outcome of the game.

More Super Bowls and Key Moments: 2010–2019

Belichick at the 2012 Time 100 gala

In 2010, the Patriots had a 14–2 record but lost in the divisional round of the playoffs. In 2011, they reached Super Bowl XLVI but lost to the New York Giants again.

In 2012, Belichick was fined $50,000 for grabbing an official's arm during a game. The Patriots reached the AFC Championship Game but lost to the Baltimore Ravens.

The 2013 season saw many changes to the Patriots' offense. Despite this, they finished 12–4 and reached the AFC Championship Game, where they lost to the Denver Broncos.

In 2014, after a tough start, Belichick famously said, "We're on to Cincinnati," meaning they were focusing on their next opponent. The Patriots went on to win Super Bowl XLIX, beating the Seattle Seahawks 28–24. This was Belichick's fourth Super Bowl win as a head coach, tying him with Chuck Noll for the most.

Belichick at the White House with President Barack Obama and Patriots' owner Robert Kraft in April 2015

In 2016, the Patriots had a 14–2 record. They reached Super Bowl LI and made an incredible comeback against the Atlanta Falcons, winning 34–28 in overtime after being down 28–3. This was Belichick's record fifth Super Bowl title as a head coach.

In 2017, the Patriots had another great season, reaching Super Bowl LII. However, they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in a high-scoring game.

Belichick in 2019

In 2018, the Patriots won their division again and reached Super Bowl LIII. They defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13–3 in a game where their defense played exceptionally well. This gave Belichick his sixth Super Bowl championship as a head coach and his eighth overall, making him the person with the most Super Bowl rings in NFL history.

In 2019, Belichick also took on the role of defensive coordinator. He earned his 300th win as a head coach (regular season and playoffs combined). The Patriots won their division but lost in the first round of the playoffs.

Brady's Departure and Final Years in New England: 2020–2023

After Tom Brady left the Patriots in 2020, Belichick faced a new challenge. The team signed Cam Newton as quarterback. The 2020 season was affected by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. The Patriots finished with a 7–9 record, which was Belichick's first losing season since his first year with the team.

In 2021, the Patriots drafted quarterback Mac Jones. Belichick named Jones the starting quarterback. The Patriots finished 10–7 and made the playoffs but lost in the first round. In 2022, they finished 8–9 and missed the playoffs.

The 2023 season was a tough one for the Patriots. They finished with a 4–13 record, which was the worst in Belichick's 24 seasons as head coach. On January 11, 2024, Belichick and the Patriots decided to part ways.

Overall Record in New England

During his 24 seasons with the Patriots, Belichick had a regular-season record of 266 wins and 121 losses. He is the most successful coach in Patriots history. In the playoffs, he had a record of 30 wins and 12 losses, including 6 Super Bowl wins. He led the Patriots to 17 division titles and 11 consecutive playoff appearances, which is an NFL record.

North Carolina Tar Heels (2025–present)

On December 11, 2024, Belichick was named the head football coach for the North Carolina Tar Heels football team. This is his first time coaching at the college level. He is expected to earn $10 million each year.

Media Work

While still coaching the Patriots in 2019, Belichick appeared on the NFL 100 All-Time Team TV series. He was an analyst and helped choose the best players in NFL history because of his amazing football knowledge. He even won an Sports Emmy award in 2021 for his work on the show.

After leaving the Patriots in 2024, Belichick started appearing on ESPN's The Pat McAfee Show every Monday afternoon during the 2024 NFL season. He also joined the "Manningcast," an alternate broadcast of Monday Night Football, with Peyton Manning and Eli Manning.

Coaching Record

NFL

College

Coaching Connections

Bill Belichick worked for six different head coaches before becoming a head coach himself. Some of his own assistant coaches and players have gone on to become head coaches in the NFL or college football.

Some of Belichick's former assistants who became head coaches include:

• Nick Saban (Michigan State, LSU, Miami Dolphins, Alabama)
• Kirk Ferentz (Iowa)
• Romeo Crennel (Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs)
• Charlie Weis (Notre Dame, Kansas)
• Eric Mangini (New York Jets, Cleveland Browns)
• Josh McDaniels (Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders)
• Brian Flores (Miami Dolphins)
• Brian Daboll (New York Giants)

Two of Belichick's former players also became head coaches:

• Kliff Kingsbury (Texas Tech, Arizona Cardinals)
• Mike Vrabel (Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots)

Belichick often visits other football programs to learn new ideas. He has studied different offenses and defenses and learned about drafting players.

Personal Life

Nick Saban, another famous football coach, is a good friend of Belichick. Belichick has an Alaskan Klee Kai dog named Nike, who became famous after appearing on TV during the 2020 NFL draft.

Belichick has dual Croatian and American citizenship. He received Croatian citizenship in June 2024.

Family

Belichick married Debby Clarke Belichick in 1977, and they divorced in 2006. They have three children. Their daughter, Amanda, coaches women's lacrosse at the College of the Holy Cross. Their son, Stephen, is the defensive coordinator for the University of North Carolina. Their other son, Brian, is also an assistant coach at the University of North Carolina.

Declined Presidential Honor

In January 2021, it was reported that then-President Donald Trump planned to give Belichick the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Belichick said he was honored to be considered but decided to decline the award. He stated that he has "great reverence for our nation's values, freedom and democracy."

See also

• Brady–Belichick era
• List of National Football League head coaches by playoff record
• List of National Football League head coach wins leaders
• List of professional gridiron football coaches with 200 wins
• List of Super Bowl head coaches