History of Bill Belichick in Timeline

Bill Belichick is an American football coach widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time. He is most known for his tenure as head coach of the New England Patriots, where he led the team to a record six Super Bowl victories. He also won two Super Bowls as the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants, bringing his total to eight Super Bowl wins. Belichick is known for his extensive knowledge of football and strategic mind, and for his role in the Patriots' dynasty from 2001 to 2019. He is considered by some as a “student of the game”.

Sections (5)

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

1934: Chicago Bears' Perfect Season

In 1934, the Chicago Bears had a perfect season.

1942: Chicago Bears' Perfect Season

In 1942, the Chicago Bears had a perfect season.

1948: Perfect Seasons for Cleveland Browns and Calgary Stampeders

In 1948, the Cleveland Browns and the Calgary Stampeders recorded perfect seasons in professional football.

April 16, 1952: Bill Belichick's Birth

On April 16, 1952, William Stephen Belichick was born. He is now widely considered one of the greatest head coaches of all time.

1970: Graduated from Annapolis High School

In 1970, Belichick graduated from Annapolis High School, where he played football and lacrosse.

1972: Miami Dolphins' Perfect Season

In 1972, the Miami Dolphins had a perfect season.

1973: Miami Dolphins' winning streak continued

The Miami Dolphins' winning streak continued into 1973.

1975: Started Coaching Career

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

1975: Became Assistant to Baltimore Colts Head Coach

In 1975, Belichick began his coaching career, taking a $25-per-week job as an assistant to Baltimore Colts head coach Ted Marchibroda.

1975: Graduated from Wesleyan University

In 1975, Belichick graduated from Wesleyan University with a bachelor's degree in economics.

1976: Joined Detroit Lions as Assistant Special Teams Coach

In 1976, Belichick joined the Detroit Lions as their assistant special teams coach, expanding his coaching experience.

1977: Belichick married Debby Clarke Belichick

In 1977, Bill Belichick married Debby Clarke Belichick.

1977: Added Tight Ends and Wide Receivers to Coaching Duties

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

January 9, 1978: Dismissed from the Detroit Lions

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

1978: Introduction of 16-game Regular Season Schedule

In 1978, the NFL introduced the 16-game regular season schedule, which made the Patriots' perfect season in 2007 even more significant.

1979: Began Stint with New York Giants

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

1980: Added Linebackers Coaching to Duties

In 1980, Belichick added linebackers coaching to his duties with the New York Giants, expanding his role within the team.

1983: Bill Parcells Replaced Ray Perkins as Head Coach

In 1983, Bill Parcells replaced Ray Perkins as the head coach of the New York Giants. Belichick continued his career as a coach for the Giants.

1985: Became Defensive Coordinator for the New York Giants

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

1985: Named Defensive Coordinator for the Giants

In 1985, Belichick was named the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants under head coach Bill Parcells, marking a significant promotion in his career.

1985: Denver Broncos Missed Playoffs

In 1985, the Denver Broncos were the only other 11-win team to miss the playoffs in a 16-game season. The Patriots also missed the playoffs in 2008 with an 11-5 record.

1986: Won Super Bowl XXI with the Giants

Following the 1986 season, the New York Giants, with Belichick as defensive coordinator, won Super Bowl XXI, marking a significant achievement in his career.

1990: Won Super Bowl XXV with the Giants

Following the 1990 season, the New York Giants, with Belichick as defensive coordinator, won Super Bowl XXV, securing another Super Bowl title for Belichick.

1991: Became Head Coach of the Cleveland Browns

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

1991: Started as Head Coach of Cleveland Browns

In 1991, Bill Belichick began his tenure as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

1992: Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl wins

In 1992, the Dallas Cowboys had two head coaches in the stretch they won three of four Super Bowls. Belichick is the only coach to accomplish this feat without changing head coaches in that time as of 2004.

1993: Released Bernie Kosar

Midway through the 1993 season, one of Belichick's most controversial moves as head coach of the Cleveland Browns was cutting quarterback Bernie Kosar.

1994: Led Browns to Playoffs

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

November 1995: Browns Announced Move to Baltimore

In November 1995, Browns owner Art Modell announced that he would move his franchise to Baltimore after the season, casting uncertainty over Belichick's future with the team.

1995: Fired from the Cleveland Browns

Following the 1995 season, Belichick was fired from his position as head coach of the Cleveland Browns after five seasons with the team.

1995: Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl wins

In 1995, the Dallas Cowboys had two head coaches in the stretch they won three of four Super Bowls. Belichick is the only coach to accomplish this feat without changing head coaches in that time as of 2004.

February 14, 1996: Fired by the Cleveland Browns

On February 14, 1996, Belichick was fired as head coach of the Cleveland Browns, a week after the team's shift to Baltimore was officially announced.

1996: Served as Assistant Head Coach for New England Patriots

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

1996: Planned on Drafting Ray Lewis

It was said that Belichick had planned on drafting Ray Lewis in the 1996 NFL Draft if he and the team stayed in Cleveland, highlighting his eye for talent.

February 1997: Named Jets Interim Head Coach

In February 1997, 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

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

January 4, 2000: Resigned as Head Coach of the Jets

On January 4, 2000, Belichick, after being introduced as head coach to the media, turned the event into a surprise resignation announcement, ending his brief tenure as the Jets' head coach.

January 27, 2000: Hired as Head Coach of the Patriots

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

2000: Hired as Head Coach of the Patriots

In 2000, following his resignation from the Jets, Belichick was hired as the 12th full-time head coach of the New England Patriots, succeeding Pete Carroll.

2000: Patriots Missed Playoffs

In the 2000 regular season, Belichick's first season as head coach, the Patriots went 5–11 and missed the playoffs.

2001: Won Super Bowl XXXVI

In 2001, the Patriots went 11–5 and won Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams, marking Belichick's first Super Bowl win as head coach and the first in Patriots history.

2002: Patriots Missed Playoffs

In 2002, during the first season at Gillette Stadium, the Patriots went 9–7 and missed the playoffs, finishing with the same record as the Jets and Dolphins, but losing out on tiebreakers.

2003: Named AP NFL Coach of the Year

In 2003, Belichick was named the AP NFL Coach of the Year, recognizing his success in leading the New England Patriots.

2003: Patriots win divisional title

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

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

In 2003, the Patriots, after starting the season with a loss, finished 14-2 and won Super Bowl XXXVIII, with Belichick receiving the NFL Coach of the Year Award.

2004: Patriots' Success in 2004

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. They won Super Bowl XXXIX against the Philadelphia Eagles, becoming the second team to win three Super Bowls in four years. Belichick is the only coach to accomplish this feat without changing head coaches in that time.

2005: Patriots' 2005 Season

In the 2005 season, the Patriots had a 10–6 record and defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card Round before losing to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round. Belichick also achieved his 54th win with the Patriots, becoming the winningest coach in the team's history.

2006: Patriots' winning streak

From 2006 to 2008, the Patriots broke their own record for regular season wins in a row with 21.

2006: Belichick divorced Debby Clarke Belichick

In 2006, Bill Belichick and Debby Clarke Belichick divorced.

September 9, 2007: Spygate Incident

On September 9, 2007, the "Spygate" incident occurred when a Patriots video assistant was caught taping the New York Jets' defensive signals from an unapproved location, violating NFL rules.

2007: Belichick Named NFL Coach of the Year

Following the "Spygate" incident in 2007, Belichick led the Patriots to a perfect 16–0 regular season record, and was awarded the 2007 NFL Coach of the Year Award.

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. They defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Divisional Round and the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Championship. However, they were upset in Super Bowl XLII by the New York Giants.

2007: Named AP NFL Coach of the Year

In 2007, Belichick was named the AP NFL Coach of the Year for the second time, acknowledging his continued success with the Patriots.

2007: Patriots win divisional title

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

2007: Belichick speaks about his relationship with Nick Saban

In 2007, Bill Belichick spoke about his relationship with Nick Saban stating, "Two successful Croats in the same division of NFL. You must admit, you don't see that every day."

2007: Belichick begins relationship with Linda Holliday

Starting in 2007, Belichick was in a relationship with Linda Holliday, the executive director of the Bill Belichick Foundation.

2008: Patriots' 2008 Season Challenges

During the Patriots' 2008 season, Tom Brady suffered a season-ending injury. Despite numerous injuries to key players, the Patriots achieved an 11–5 record, but missed the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

2008: NFL Fines Belichick and Patriots

In 2008, the NFL fined Belichick $500,000 and the Patriots $250,000 for the Spygate incident. The Patriots also forfeited their first-round draft pick in the 2008 NFL draft. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell attributed the fines to Belichick's control over the team's operations.

2008: Inducted into Wesleyan University's Athletics Hall of Fame

In the spring of 2008, Belichick was part of the inaugural induction class into Wesleyan University's Athletics Hall of Fame.

2008: Scott Pioli left the organization

Scott Pioli left for the Kansas City Chiefs after the 2008 season

2009: Near Complete Control Over the Team

By 2009, owner Robert Kraft had given Belichick near-complete control over the team's football operations, making him the de facto general manager as well.

2009: Patriots win divisional title

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

2009: Patriots' 2009 Season

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

2009: The Patriots didn't win 12+ games

In 2018, for the first time since 2009, the Patriots didn't win 12 or more games.

2010: Named AP NFL Coach of the Year

In 2010, Belichick was named the AP NFL Coach of the Year for the third time, solidifying his reputation as one of the league's top coaches.

2010: Patriots' 2010 Season

In the 2010 season, Belichick and the Patriots finished with a 14–2 record and the top seed in the AFC. However, they lost to the New York Jets in the divisional round.

2011: Inducted into Phillips Academy Athletics Hall of Honor

In 2011, 40 years after attending Phillips Academy for a postgraduate year, Belichick was inducted into the school's Athletics Hall of Honor.

2011: Patriots' 2011 Season and Super Bowl XLVI

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

September 26, 2012: Belichick Fined for Incident with Replacement Official

On September 26, 2012, Belichick was fined $50,000 for grabbing a replacement official's arm after a controversial call in a game against the Baltimore Ravens.

2012: Suspension of Sean Payton

In 2012, the sanctions against Belichick for Spygate were the harshest imposed on a head coach until the New Orleans Saints' Sean Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season.

2013: Appeared in "A Football Life" episode on Cleveland Browns Relocation

In 2013, Belichick was featured in an episode of "A Football Life" that discussed the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy, during which his contributions to the team's future were highlighted.

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2013: Patriots' 2013 Season

The 2013 season brought upheaval on the offensive side of the ball for the Patriots, and they signed Danny Amendola, drafted rookies Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce, and signed undrafted rookie free agent Kenbrell Thompkins. The team finished the season with a 12–4 record, winning the AFC East, but lost to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.

2014: Patriots' 2014 Season and Super Bowl XLIX Victory

In the 2014 season, the Patriots started 2–2, leading to Belichick's famous "We're on to Cincinnati" press conference. They finished with 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.

July 2015: Amanda Belichick becomes head coach at Holy Cross

In July 2015, Amanda Belichick, Bill Belichick's daughter, became the head women's lacrosse coach at the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts.

2015: Patriots' 2015 Season

In the 2015 season, the Patriots recorded a 12–4 record for the fourth straight season. They defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round, but lost to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.

2016: Patriots' 2016 Season and Super Bowl LI Victory

In the 2016 season, the Patriots recorded a 14–2 record and earned the #1 seed for the AFC playoffs. They defeated the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs and won Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons in overtime. Belichick won his record fifth Super Bowl title as a head coach.

2017: Patriots' 2017 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 but fell to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII.

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

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

2018: Patriots' 2018 Season and Super Bowl LIII Victory

In the 2018 season, the Patriots went 11–5. They defeated the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs, and won Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams, giving Belichick his sixth Super Bowl championship as a head coach.

May 13, 2019: Belichick becomes defensive coordinator

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

October 27, 2019: Belichick obtains his 300th win

On October 27, 2019, Belichick obtained his 300th win, regular and postseason combined, as a head coach, with the Patriots' win over the Cleveland Browns.

2019: Patriots win divisional title

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

2019: Analyst for NFL 100 All-Time Team

In 2019, while still head coach for the Patriots, Belichick appeared as an analyst for the NFL 100 All-Time Team series on NFL Network, providing analysis and breaking down tape.

November 28, 2020: Poor track 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, with many being fired midseason, highlighting the poor track record of Belichick's coaching tree.

2020: Nike's appearance on camera during the NFL draft

In 2020, Belichick's Alaskan Klee Kai dog named Nike made an appearance on camera during the NFL draft, leading to a surge of interest in the breed.

2020: Patriots face uncertain QB situation and deal with COVID-19 pandemic

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

January 10, 2021: Trump plans to award Belichick the Presidential Medal of Freedom

On January 10, 2021, it was reported that then-president Donald Trump planned to award Belichick the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

2021: Belichick meets Jordon Hudson

In 2021, Belichick reportedly met Jordon Hudson on a flight.

2021: Sports Emmy Award

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

2021: Mac Jones becomes starting quarterback and Brady returns to Gillette Stadium

In 2021, Mac Jones was drafted and named the starting quarterback after Newton's release. During Week 4, Tom Brady's Buccaneers visited Gillette Stadium, narrowly defeating the Patriots 19–17. Belichick led the Patriots to a 10–7 record, but the team lost in the Wild Card Round.

2022: Patriots remain in playoff hunt despite injuries

In the 2022 season, the Patriots remained in the hunt for a playoff spot despite starting quarterback Mac Jones being injured in Week 3 and subsequently missing three more weeks, finishing with a record of 8–9.

2023: Belichick and Jordon Hudson start dating

Belichick and Jordon Hudson have reportedly been dating since 2023.

2023: Worst loss and 300th regular season win

In 2023, the Patriots suffered Belichick's worst loss to the Cowboys (38–3) and his worst home loss to the Saints (34–0). However, New England upset the Bills, earning Belichick his 300th career regular season win. The Patriots finished with a 4–13 record, the team's worst in Belichick's tenure.

2023: Belichick and Linda Holliday end relationship

In 2023, the relationship between Belichick and Linda Holliday ended.

January 11, 2024: Belichick and the Patriots mutually part ways

On January 11, 2024, Bill Belichick and the Patriots mutually agreed to part ways after 24 seasons.

May 2024: Peyton Manning on Belichick as an analyst

In May 2024, Peyton Manning commented on Belichick becoming an analyst, highlighting his intelligence, wit, and coaching abilities.

June 3, 2024: Belichick receives Croatian citizenship

On June 3, 2024, Bill Belichick received Croatian citizenship in Zagreb from the Croatian prime minister Andrej Plenković. He was also a special guest at a football match between Croatia and North Macedonia.

June 2024: Belichick in a relationship with Jordon Hudson

In June 2024, it was reported that Belichick was in a relationship with Jordon Hudson, a 24-year-old former Bridgewater State University cheerleader and 2024 Miss Maine USA pageant first runner-up.

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 time coaching at the collegiate level.

2024: Analyst on The Pat McAfee Show

After parting ways with the Patriots in 2024, Belichick agreed to appear every Monday afternoon during the 2024 NFL season with ESPN's The Pat McAfee Show as an analyst.

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2024: Belichick joins Manningcast

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

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