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 widely considered one of the greatest football coaches in history. He holds the record for most Super Bowl wins as a head coach (six), all achieved with the New England Patriots. Adding to his accomplishments, he also secured two Super Bowl victories as the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants, totaling a record eight combined Super Bowl wins as coach and coordinator. Known as a 'student of the game,' Belichick is celebrated for his extensive understanding of football strategy and player positions. He was the head coach and de facto general manager of the Patriots during their dominant dynasty from 2001 to 2019.

Sections (5)

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

1975: Started Coaching Career

In 1975, Bill Belichick started his coaching career as an assistant for the Baltimore Colts.

1975: Assistant to Baltimore Colts Head Coach

In 1975, Bill Belichick took a $25-per-week 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: Added Coaching Duties with the Detroit Lions

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

January 9, 1978: Dismissed from Detroit Lions

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

1979: Began Stint with the 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.

1980: Added Linebackers Coaching to Duties

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

1983: Bill Parcels replaced Ray Perkins as Head Coach

In 1983, Bill Parcells replaced Ray Perkins as head coach of the NY Giants.

1985: Defensive Coordinator for the Giants

By 1985, Bill Belichick became the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants under head coach Bill Parcells.

1986: Won Super Bowl XXI with the 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 Giants

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

1991: Became Head Coach of Cleveland Browns

In 1991, Bill Belichick became the head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

1994: Led Browns to the Playoffs

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

1995: Fired from Cleveland Browns

Following the 1995 season, Bill Belichick was fired as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

February 14, 1996: Fired by the Cleveland Browns

On February 14, 1996, Bill Belichick was fired by the Cleveland Browns.

1996: Planned on drafting Ray Lewis

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

1996: Assistant Coach with the New England Patriots

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

February 1997: Named Jets Interim Head Coach

In February 1997, Bill Belichick was named the Jets interim head coach.

1999: Parcells Stepped Down

In 1999, Bill Parcells stepped down as head coach.

January 4, 2000: Resigned as Jets Head Coach

On January 4, 2000, Bill Belichick resigned as head coach of the New York Jets.

January 27, 2000: Hired as Patriots Head Coach

On January 27, 2000, Bill Belichick accepted the head coaching job for the New England Patriots.

2000: Hired as Patriots Head Coach

In 2000, Bill Belichick was introduced as the Patriots' head coach.

2000: 5-11 Season

In 2000, the Patriots went 5-11 in the regular season and missed the playoffs.

2001: Start of Patriots Dynasty

In 2001, Bill Belichick became a central figure as the head coach and de facto general manager during the New England Patriots' dynasty.

2001: Won Super Bowl XXXVI

In 2001, the Patriots won Super Bowl XXXVI, marking the first Super Bowl championship in Patriots history with Bill Belichick as coach.

2002: Missed the Playoffs

In 2002, the Patriots went 9-7 and missed the playoffs.

2003: Won Super Bowl XXXVIII

In 2003, the Patriots finished 14-2, won Super Bowl XXXVIII, and Bill Belichick was awarded the NFL Coach of the Year Award.

2003: Patriots win Divisional Title

In 2003, the Patriots won a divisional title, marking the beginning of a successful era under Belichick's leadership.

2004: Won Super Bowl XXXIX

In 2004, the Patriots finished with a 14-2 record, broke the record for most consecutive victories, and won Super Bowl XXXIX.

2005: Patriots 2005 Season

In 2005, with Eric Mangini as the new defensive coordinator and no named offensive coordinator, the Patriots finished the season with a 10–6 record. They defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card Round but lost to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round.

2006: Patriots 2006 Season

In 2006, the Patriots ended the season with a 12–4 record. They won against the New York Jets in the Wild Card Round and the San Diego Chargers in the Divisional Round, but they lost to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship.

2007: Patriots Perfect Regular Season and Super Bowl Loss

In 2007, Belichick's Patriots achieved a perfect 16-0 regular season, the first since 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, preventing a perfect season.

2007: Patriots win Divisional Title

In 2007, the Patriots won a divisional title, continuing their streak of consecutive titles from 2003.

2008: Scott Pioli Left for Chiefs

After the 2008 season, Scott Pioli left the Patriots for the Kansas City Chiefs.

2008: Brady's Injury and Playoff Miss

During the 2008 season, Tom Brady suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1. Despite setting a record for consecutive regular season wins (21), and achieving an 11-5 record, the Patriots missed the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

2009: Belichick Assumed Full Control

In 2009, Bill Belichick assumed near-complete control over the team's football operations.

2009: Patriots win Divisional Title

In 2009, the Patriots won a divisional title, marking the start of an eleven-year streak of consecutive titles.

2009: AFC East Title and Wild Card Loss

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

2010: Top Seed and Divisional Round Loss

In the 2010 season, Belichick and the Patriots achieved a 14–2 record and the top seed in the AFC. However, they were defeated by the New York Jets in the divisional round.

2011: AFC Championship and Super Bowl XLVI Loss

In 2011, the Patriots finished with a 13–3 record, won the AFC Championship against the Baltimore Ravens, and advanced to Super Bowl XLVI. However, they lost to the New York Giants in a Super Bowl XLII rematch.

2013: 2013 Season

In 2013, the Patriots dealt with significant offensive changes and injuries but still finished with a 12-4 record. They won the AFC East and defeated the Indianapolis Colts in the Divisional Round before losing to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.

2014: "We're on to Cincinnati"

In 2014, following a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Belichick famously said, "We're on to Cincinnati." The Patriots finished the season with a 12–4 record, won Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks. Belichick tied Chuck Noll for most Super Bowl wins by a head coach with his fourth.

2015: 2015 Season

In 2015, the Patriots had a 12-4 record. They defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round but lost to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.

2016: Super Bowl LI Victory

In 2016, the Patriots finished with a 14-2 record and won Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons after a historic comeback. Belichick secured his record fifth Super Bowl title as a head coach.

2017: Super Bowl LII Loss

In 2017, the Patriots went 13–3 and reached Super Bowl LII. They lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, 41–33. The latter Patriots teams were noted for mounting late comebacks in playoff games.

2018: Super Bowl LIII Victory

In 2018, the Patriots finished 11–5 and won Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams, marking Belichick's sixth Super Bowl championship as a head coach. The Patriots' defense held the high-scoring Rams offense to only 260 total yards.

May 13, 2019: Belichick Assumes Defensive Coordinator Role

On May 13, 2019, Belichick announced he would also serve as the Patriots' defensive coordinator starting in the 2019 season.

October 27, 2019: Belichick's 300th Win

On October 27, 2019, Belichick achieved his 300th win as a head coach, including both regular and postseason games, with the Patriots' victory over the Cleveland Browns.

2019: End of Patriots Dynasty

Bill Belichick's tenure as head coach and de facto general manager during the New England Patriots' dynasty came to an end in 2019.

2019: Analyst for NFL 100 All-Time Team Series

In 2019, Bill Belichick served as an analyst and voter for the NFL 100 All-Time Team series on NFL Network, providing insights and breaking down game film.

2019: Patriots win Divisional Title

In 2019, the Patriots won a divisional title, marking the end of an eleven-year streak of consecutive titles that began in 2009.

2021: Mac Jones Era Begins

In 2021, Bill Belichick drafted Mac Jones, released Cam Newton, and named Jones the starting quarterback. Tom Brady returned to Gillette Stadium with the Buccaneers, narrowly defeating the Patriots 19-17. Belichick led the Patriots to a 10-7 record, but they lost in the Wild Card Round to the Buffalo Bills.

2023: Worst Loss and Final Season with Patriots

During the 2023 season, Belichick suffered the worst loss of his coaching career against the Dallas Cowboys and his worst home loss against the Saints. He reached his 300th career win against the Buffalo Bills. He finished the season with a 4-13 record and the team's 15-game winning streak over the Jets was snapped.

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 head football coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, marking his first coaching role at the collegiate level.