Career Timeline of Bill Belichick: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Bill Belichick made an impact.

Bill Belichick is a highly accomplished American football coach, widely considered one of the greatest of all time. He holds the record for most Super Bowl wins as a head coach (six) with the New England Patriots, who had a dynasty from 2001 to 2019, and also earned two Super Bowl rings as the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants for a combined eight total Super Bowl victories. Known for his deep knowledge of the game, he's often called a "student of the game", while also serving as the Patriots' de facto general manager during his tenure. Belichick's strategic brilliance and leadership have solidified his place in football history.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1975: Started coaching career as assistant for the Baltimore Colts

In 1975, Bill Belichick began his coaching career as an assistant for the Baltimore Colts, starting his path in professional football.

1975: Assistant to Baltimore Colts Head Coach

In 1975, Bill Belichick took a job as an assistant to Baltimore Colts head coach Ted Marchibroda.

1976: Joined the Detroit Lions

In 1976, Bill Belichick joined the Detroit Lions as their assistant special teams coach.

1977: Coaching Duties Expanded

In 1977, Bill Belichick added tight ends and wide receivers to his coaching duties with the Detroit Lions.

January 9, 1978: Dismissed by the Detroit Lions

On January 9, 1978, Bill Belichick was dismissed along with head coach Tommy Hudspeth and the rest of the coaching staff of the Detroit Lions.

1979: Began Stint with New York Giants

In 1979, Bill Belichick began a 12-year stint with the New York Giants as a defensive assistant and special teams coach under head coach Ray Perkins.

1980: Added Linebackers Coaching Duties

In 1980, Bill Belichick added linebackers coaching to his duties with the New York Giants.

1983: Ray Perkins replaced by Bill Parcells

In 1983, Ray Perkins was replaced by Bill Parcells as head coach for the New York Giants. Bill Belichick remained with the Giants, continuing his role as a defensive assistant.

1985: Became defensive coordinator for the New York Giants

In 1985, Bill Belichick became the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants under head coach Bill Parcells, marking a significant step in his coaching career.

1986: Won Super Bowl XXI with the New York Giants

Following the 1986 season, the New York Giants, with Bill Belichick as defensive coordinator, won Super Bowl XXI.

1990: Won Super Bowl XXV with the New York Giants

Following the 1990 season, the New York Giants, with Bill Belichick as defensive coordinator, won Super Bowl XXV.

1991: Became head coach of the Cleveland Browns

In 1991, Bill Belichick became the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, marking his first head coaching position in the NFL.

1993: Controversial Cutting of Bernie Kosar

Midway through the 1993 season, Bill Belichick made a controversial move by cutting quarterback Bernie Kosar from the Cleveland Browns.

1994: Led Browns to Playoffs

In 1994, Bill Belichick led the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs, achieving his only winning season with the team.

1995: Fired Following the 1995 Season

After five seasons as the head coach, Bill Belichick was fired by the Cleveland Browns following the 1995 season.

February 14, 1996: Fired as Browns Head Coach

On February 14, 1996, Bill Belichick was fired as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, a week after the announcement that the team would move to Baltimore.

1996: Planned on Drafting Ray Lewis

Bill Belichick had planned on drafting Ray Lewis in the 1996 NFL Draft, but he and the team stayed in Cleveland.

1996: Served as Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Backs Coach for Patriots

In 1996, Bill Belichick served as the assistant head coach and defensive backs coach for the New England Patriots under Bill Parcells.

February 1997: Named Jets Interim Head Coach

In February 1997, Bill Belichick was named the New York Jets' interim head coach while the Jets and Patriots negotiated compensation for Bill Parcells to coach the Jets.

1999: Arranged to Succeed Parcells as Jets Head Coach

After the 1999 season, Bill Parcells arranged for Bill Belichick to succeed him as the head coach of the New York Jets.

January 4, 2000: Resigned as HC of the NYJ

On January 4, 2000, after being introduced as the head coach, Bill Belichick resigned from the New York Jets in a surprise announcement.

January 27, 2000: Accepted the head coaching job for the Patriots

On January 27, 2000, Bill Belichick accepted the head coaching job for the New England Patriots after resigning from the New York Jets after only one day.

2000: Became Patriots Head Coach

In 2000, Bill Belichick was introduced as the New England Patriots' head coach after the Patriots compensated the Jets for the right to hire him.

2000: Patriots Missed Playoffs

In the 2000 regular season, the New England Patriots went 5–11 and missed the playoffs under Bill Belichick's leadership.

2001: Patriots Won Super Bowl XXXVI

In 2001, Bill Belichick led the New England Patriots to an 11–5 regular-season record and a Super Bowl XXXVI victory against the St. Louis Rams, marking the franchise's first Super Bowl championship.

2002: Patriots Missed Playoffs

In 2002, the New England Patriots went 9–7 and missed the playoffs, finishing with the same record as the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins; the Jets won the AFC East title due to tiebreakers.

2003: Patriots Won Super Bowl XXXVIII and Belichick Named NFL Coach of the Year

In 2003, Bill Belichick led the Patriots to a 14-2 regular season record, won Super Bowl XXXVIII, and was awarded the NFL Coach of the Year Award.

2003: Patriots win divisional title

In 2003, Bill Belichick led the Patriots to win a divisional title.

2004: Patriots Win Super Bowl XXXIX

In 2004, the Patriots finished with a 14–2 record, defeated the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional round, and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game. The Patriots beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX, becoming the second team to win three Super Bowls in four years. Belichick is the only coach to accomplish this feat as of 2004.

2005: Patriots Season and Belichick's Record

In the 2005 season, with Eric Mangini as the new defensive coordinator, the Patriots went 10–6, defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card Round before losing to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round. With a win over the Oakland Raiders, Belichick achieved his 54th win with the Patriots, becoming the winningest coach in the team's history as of 2005.

2006: Patriots' Playoff Run

In the 2006 season, the Patriots finished with a 12–4 record, defeating the New York Jets in the Wild Card Round and the San Diego Chargers in the Divisional Round. They lost to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship by a score of 38–34. The Patriots led 21–3, but the Colts mounted a comeback.

2007: Patriots' Near-Perfect Season

In 2007, Belichick led the Patriots to a perfect regular season, only the fourth team to do so in NFL history, since the introduction of the 16-game season in 1978. They defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars and the San Diego Chargers in the playoffs but were upset in Super Bowl XLII by the New York Giants.

2007: Patriots win divisional title

In 2007, Bill Belichick led the Patriots to win a divisional title.

2008: Scott Pioli Left Patriots

After the 2008 season, Scott Pioli left the New England Patriots, ending his collaboration with Bill Belichick in managing player personnel.

2008: Brady's Injury and Playoff Miss

During the Patriots' 2008 season-opener, Tom Brady sustained a season-ending injury. Matt Cassel became the starter. The Patriots broke their own record for consecutive regular-season wins with 21 (2006–08). Despite injuries, they went 11–5 but missed the playoffs for the first time since 2002, losing on tiebreakers to the Miami Dolphins and the Baltimore Ravens.

2009: Belichick Assumed Full Control of Football Operations

By 2009, Bill Belichick had assumed near-complete control over the New England Patriots' football operations, becoming the de facto general manager.

2009: Patriots win divisional title

In 2009, Bill Belichick led the Patriots to win a divisional title.

2009: Patriots' AFC East Title and Playoff Loss

In 2009, with Tom Brady's return, Belichick guided the Patriots to an AFC East title with a 10–6 record. However, the Patriots lost to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card Round.

2010: Patriots' Playoff Loss to the Jets

In the 2010 season, Belichick and the Patriots finished with a 14–2 record. Their postseason ended with a 28–21 loss to the New York Jets in the divisional round.

2011: Patriots Reach Super Bowl XLVI

In the 2011 season, the Patriots topped the AFC with a 13–3 record, defeated the Denver Broncos, won the AFC Championship against the Baltimore Ravens 23-20, but lost to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI by a score of 21–17.

2013: Patriots' Offensive Changes and Playoff Loss

In 2013, the Patriots began the season with many offensive changes due to injuries, arrests, and departures. They finished with a 12–4 record, won the AFC East, defeated the Indianapolis Colts, but lost to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.

2014: "We're on to Cincinnati" and Super Bowl XLIX Victory

In 2014, after starting 2–2, Belichick famously said, "We're on to Cincinnati." The Patriots recorded a 12–4 record, defeated the Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts in the playoffs, and won Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks. Belichick tied Chuck Noll for most Super Bowl wins by a head coach as of 2014.

2015: Patriots' Playoff Loss to Denver

In the 2015 season, the Patriots recorded a 12–4 record. They defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round but narrowly lost to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game by a score of 20–18.

2016: Patriots Win Super Bowl LI

In the 2016 season, the Patriots recorded a 14–2 record and earned the #1 seed. They defeated the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs. They defeated the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI in a comeback victory, with Belichick winning his record fifth Super Bowl title as a head coach as of 2016.

2017: Patriots' Season and Super Bowl LII Loss

In the 2017 season, the Patriots went 13–3, setting an NFL record eighth consecutive 12-or-more-win seasons. They defeated the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars in the playoffs, claiming their second consecutive AFC title. The Patriots fell to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII, 41–33.

2018: Patriots Win Super Bowl LIII

In the 2018 season, the Patriots went 11–5, captured their 10th consecutive AFC East title. They defeated the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs. In Super Bowl LIII, the Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13–3 to give Belichick his sixth Super Bowl championship as a head coach as of 2018.

May 13, 2019: Belichick assumes Patriots' defensive coordinator role

On May 13, 2019, Bill Belichick announced he would take on the role of the Patriots' defensive coordinator starting with the 2019 season.

October 27, 2019: Belichick achieves 300th win

On October 27, 2019, Bill Belichick secured his 300th win as a head coach, combining both regular season and postseason victories, following the Patriots' victory over the Cleveland Browns.

2019: Patriots win divisional title

In 2019, Bill Belichick led the Patriots to win a divisional title.

2019: Belichick appears on NFL 100 All-Time Team series

In 2019, while still coaching the Patriots, Bill Belichick served as an analyst for the NFL 100 All-Time Team series on NFL Network, where he was a voter and provided analysis.

November 28, 2020: Record of Belichick's coaching tree

As of November 28, 2020, former assistant coaches under Belichick had a combined 208-296-1 record as head coaches of their own teams.

2020: Patriots face quarterback uncertainty and a losing season

In 2020, following Tom Brady's departure, the Patriots signed Cam Newton. The 2020 NFL season was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Patriots finished with a 7-9 record, marking Belichick's first losing season since his initial year in New England.

2021: Belichick wins Sports Emmy

In 2021, Bill Belichick was awarded a Sports Emmy for his contributions to the NFL 100 All-Time Team series.

2021: Mac Jones drafted, Brady returns to Gillette Stadium

In 2021, the Patriots drafted Mac Jones and named him the starting quarterback after releasing Cam Newton. On a visit during week 4, Tom Brady's Buccaneers narrowly defeated the Patriots 19-17 at Gillette Stadium after a missed field goal. The Patriots finished the 2021 season with a 10-7 record before losing in the Wild Card Round.

2022: Patriots remain in playoff contention

In 2022, the Patriots remained in playoff contention despite starting quarterback Mac Jones being injured and missing several weeks, ultimately finishing with an 8-9 record.

2023: Worst Loss and 300th Regular Season Win

During the 2023 season, the Patriots experienced their worst loss under Belichick to the Cowboys (38-3) and his worst home loss to the Saints (34-0). However, later in 2023, the Patriots upset the Buffalo Bills, marking Belichick's 300th career regular season win as an NFL head coach. At the end of 2023, Bailey Zappe was named starting quarterback. The team finished the 2023 season with a 4-13 record, the team's worst in Belichick's 24 seasons as head coach.

January 11, 2024: Belichick and Patriots part ways

On January 11, 2024, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots mutually agreed to part ways, ending his tenure as head coach.

December 11, 2024: Belichick named head coach of North Carolina Tar Heels

On December 11, 2024, Bill Belichick was named the 35th head football coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, marking his first collegiate coaching role. His contract is reportedly worth $10 million annually, with guaranteed money for the first three years.

2024: Belichick joins Manningcast

In 2024, Peyton Manning announced that Bill Belichick would be joining the Manningcast, an alternate broadcast of Monday Night Football, for every broadcast of the season.

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2024: Belichick joins ESPN's The Pat McAfee Show

In 2024, after leaving the Patriots, Bill Belichick agreed to appear weekly on ESPN's "The Pat McAfee Show" during the NFL season. He first appeared as an analyst during the show's "5th Annual Draft Spectacular" after a guest appearance weeks prior.