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 an American football coach widely considered one of the greatest of all time. Best known for his tenure as head coach of the New England Patriots, where he won a record six Super Bowls, he also earned two Super Bowl rings as the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants, totaling a record eight Super Bowl victories as coach. Renowned for his deep understanding of the game and player positions, he's often called a "student of the game". Belichick was instrumental in the Patriots' dynasty from 2001 to 2019, functioning as both head coach and de facto general manager.

Sections (5)

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

1975: Assistant Coach for Baltimore Colts

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 job as an assistant to Baltimore Colts head coach Ted Marchibroda.

1976: Assistant Special Teams Coach for Detroit Lions

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

1977: Additional Coaching Duties with Detroit Lions

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

January 9, 1978: Dismissal from 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: Defensive Assistant and Special Teams Coach 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: Linebackers Coaching Duties Added

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

1983: Ray Perkins Replaced by Bill Parcells as head coach

In 1983, Bill Parcells replaced Ray Perkins as the head coach of the New York Giants, with Bill Belichick remaining on staff.

1985: Defensive Coordinator for the New York Giants

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

1985: Named Defensive Coordinator

In 1985, Bill Belichick was named defensive coordinator for the New York Giants under head coach Bill Parcells.

1986: Giants win Super Bowl XXI

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

1990: Giants win Super Bowl XXV

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

1991: Head Coach of the Cleveland Browns

From 1991, Bill Belichick was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

1992: Dallas Cowboys' Success from 1992 to 1995

From 1992 to 1995, the Dallas Cowboys won three of four Super Bowls with two head coaches. This feat was later matched by Bill Belichick as the only coach to accomplish the feat with one head coach.

1994: Playoff Appearance with Browns

In 1994, Bill Belichick led the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs.

1995: Fired by the Cleveland Browns

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

1995: Dallas Cowboys' Success from 1992 to 1995

From 1992 to 1995, the Dallas Cowboys won three of four Super Bowls with two head coaches. This feat was later matched by Bill Belichick as the only coach to accomplish the feat with one head coach.

February 14, 1996: Fired by Cleveland Browns

On February 14, 1996, Bill Belichick was fired by the Cleveland Browns a week after the shift to Baltimore was officially announced.

1996: Planning on Drafting Ray Lewis

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

1996: Assistant Head Coach with the New England Patriots

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

February 1997: Named Jets Interim Head Coach

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

1999: Parcells Stepped Down as Head Coach

Bill Parcells arranged with team management to have Bill Belichick succeed him when he stepped down as head coach after the 1999 season.

January 4, 2000: Resignation as Jets Head Coach

On January 4, 2000, Bill Belichick turned his introduction as head coach of the New York Jets into a surprise resignation announcement.

January 27, 2000: Hired as Patriots Head Coach

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

2000: Named Patriots Head Coach

In 2000, Bill Belichick was introduced as the Patriots' 12th full-time head coach. The Patriots gave the Jets a first-round draft pick in exchange for the right to hire Belichick.

2001: Patriots Win Super Bowl XXXVI

In 2001, the Patriots finished the regular season 11-5. After defeating the Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs, they went on to win Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams.

2003: Patriots Win Divisional Title

In 2003, the Patriots secured one of their 17 divisional titles under Belichick.

2003: Patriots Win Super Bowl XXXVIII and Belichick wins NFL Coach of the Year

The Patriots dominated the 2003 season, finishing 14-2 and defeating the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII. Bill Belichick was awarded the NFL Coach of the Year Award for the 2003 season.

2004: Patriots' Success in 2004

In 2004, the Patriots finished with a 14–2 record and defeated the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional round. They broke the record for consecutive victories with 21, won the AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and won Super Bowl XXXIX against the Philadelphia Eagles, becoming the second team to win three Super Bowls in four years.

2005: Patriots' 2005 Season

In 2005, the Patriots, with Eric Mangini as the new defensive coordinator and no named offensive coordinator, went 10–6. They defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card Round but lost to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round. Belichick also earned his 54th win with the Patriots, becoming the winningest coach in Patriots history.

2006: Patriots' 2006 Season

In 2006, the Patriots finished with a 12–4 record, defeated the New York Jets in the Wild Card Round, and beat the San Diego Chargers in the Divisional Round. However, they lost to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship game after leading 21-3 in the first half.

2007: Patriots' Perfect Regular Season in 2007

In 2007, Belichick led the Patriots to a perfect regular season, only the fourth team to do so in NFL history since the 16-game schedule was introduced in 1978. They defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Divisional Round and the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Championship. However, they were upset by the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.

2007: Patriots Win Divisional Title

In 2007, the Patriots secured one of their 17 divisional titles under Belichick.

2008: Pioli Leaves for Chiefs

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

2009: Patriots Win Divisional Title

In 2009, the Patriots secured one of their 17 divisional titles under Belichick.

2009: Patriots' 2009 Season

In 2009, with Tom Brady back as the starting quarterback, Belichick led the Patriots to another AFC East title with a 10–6 record. However, the team lost to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card Round.

2009: Belichick Takes Full Control

Starting in 2009, Bill Belichick took near-complete control over the team's football operations, making him the de facto general manager.

2010: Patriots' 2010 Season

In the 2010 season, Belichick and the Patriots finished with a 14–2 record, securing the top seed in the AFC. However, their postseason run ended with a 28–21 loss to the New York Jets in the divisional round.

2011: Patriots' 2011 Season

In 2011, the Patriots finished with a 13-3 record, topping the AFC. They won the AFC Championship against the Baltimore Ravens after a missed field goal by the Ravens. They then lost Super Bowl XLVI to the New York Giants in a Super Bowl XLII rematch.

2013: Patriots' 2013 Season

The 2013 season brought significant upheaval for the Patriots' offense due to injuries, arrests, and player departures. The team finished the season with a 12–4 record, winning the AFC East and securing a playoff berth. They lost to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.

2014: Patriots' Super Bowl XLIX Victory

In 2014, after a 2-2 start, the Patriots finished with a 12-4 record. They defeated the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round and the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game. They won Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks, marking Belichick's fourth championship as head coach.

2015: Patriots' 2015 Season

In 2015, the Patriots recorded 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: Patriots' Super Bowl LI Victory

In 2016, the Patriots recorded a 14–2 record, earning the #1 seed for the AFC playoffs. They defeated the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game. They won Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons in overtime, marking Belichick's record fifth Super Bowl title as a head coach.

2017: Patriots' 2017 Season and Super Bowl LII Loss

In 2017, the Patriots went 13–3 and set an NFL record with their eighth consecutive 12-or-more-win season. They defeated the Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars to win the AFC Championship, extending their record of consecutive appearances. However, they lost Super Bowl LII to the Philadelphia Eagles, 41–33.

May 2018: Belichick Appointed to Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition

In May 2018, Bill Belichick was appointed by President Donald Trump to be a member of his Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.

2018: Patriots' Super Bowl LIII Victory

In 2018, the Patriots went 11–5. They defeated the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs to advance to Super Bowl LIII, where they defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13–3. This marked Belichick's sixth Super Bowl championship as a head coach and his eighth overall, giving him the most Super Bowl rings in NFL history.

May 13, 2019: Belichick Becomes Patriots Defensive Coordinator

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

October 27, 2019: Belichick Achieves 300th Win

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

2019: Patriots Win Divisional Title

In 2019, the Patriots secured their 11th consecutive AFC East title, marking the end of a dominant streak under Belichick.

2019: Belichick Analyst for NFL 100 All-Time Team

In 2019, while still coaching the Patriots, Bill Belichick served as an analyst for the NFL 100 All-Time Team series on NFL Network, providing analysis and film breakdowns. He served as a voter and provided insight on the significance of each member.

2020: Patriots Face Uncertain Quarterback Situation and Pandemic Challenges

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

2021: Mac Jones Drafted and Named Starting Quarterback

In 2021, the Patriots drafted Mac Jones, and after a preseason competition, Belichick named Jones the starting quarterback, releasing Cam Newton. Brady's Buccaneers defeated the Patriots 19-17 in Week 4. The Patriots finished with a 10-7 record and lost in the Wild Card Round.

2022: Patriots Remain in Playoff Contention Despite Quarterback Injury

In the 2022 season, the Patriots, despite an injury to Mac Jones, remained in playoff contention until the last week, ultimately finishing with an 8-9 record.

2023: Patriots Suffer Record Losses and Belichick Reaches 300 Regular Season Wins

In 2023, the Patriots suffered the worst loss of Belichick's coaching career against the Dallas Cowboys and his worst home loss against the Saints. They upset the Buffalo Bills, earning Belichick his 300th regular-season win. Bailey Zappe was named starting quarterback, and the Patriots finished with a 4-13 record, their worst under Belichick. The team also snapped their 15-game winning streak over the New York Jets.

January 11, 2024: Belichick and Patriots Mutually Part Ways

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

December 11, 2024: Belichick Named Head Football Coach of North Carolina Tar Heels

On December 11, 2024, Bill Belichick was appointed as the 35th head football coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, marking his entry into collegiate-level coaching. He will reportedly earn $10 million annually, with the first three years guaranteed, and $3.5 million in annual incentives.

2024: Belichick to Join Manningcast on Monday Night Football

In 2024, Peyton Manning announced that Belichick would join the Manning brothers on the Manningcast, an alternate broadcast of Monday Night Football. Manning also stated Belichick would appear on every Manningcast broadcast during the 2024 season.

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2024: Belichick Joins ESPN's The Pat McAfee Show

In 2024, after leaving the Patriots, Belichick agreed to appear weekly on ESPN's The Pat McAfee Show as an analyst, starting with the "5th Annual Draft Spectacular" covering the 2024 NFL draft.

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