Bill Belichick's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Bill Belichick.

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

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 in Professional Football

In 1948, the Cleveland Browns and Calgary Stampeders had perfect seasons in the All-America Football Conference and Canadian Football League, respectively.

1972: Miami Dolphins' Undefeated Season

In 1972, the Miami Dolphins completed an undefeated season of 14-0, winning three games in the playoffs, setting a record for consecutive wins that the 2004 Patriots broke.

1973: Miami Dolphins' Consecutive Wins

In the 1972 and 1973 seasons, the Miami Dolphins set a record of 18 straight victories.

1978: Introduction of the 16-Game Regular Season

In 1978, the NFL introduced the 16-game regular season schedule.

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.

1992: Dallas Cowboys' Dynasty Era

From 1992 to 1995, the Dallas Cowboys had two head coaches in the stretch they won three of four Super Bowls.

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: Dallas Cowboys' Dynasty Era

From 1992 to 1995, the Dallas Cowboys had two head coaches in the stretch they won three of four Super Bowls.

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.

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.

2003: Named AP NFL Coach of the Year

In 2003, Bill Belichick was named the AP NFL Coach of the Year, recognizing his coaching achievements for the season.

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' Consecutive Wins

From 2006-2008, the Patriots achieved 21 consecutive regular-season wins, setting a new record.

2007: Belichick Awarded 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 by the Associated Press.

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.

2007: Named AP NFL Coach of the Year

In 2007, Bill Belichick was named the AP NFL Coach of the Year, marking another recognition of his coaching excellence.

2008: Inducted into the Wesleyan University Athletics Hall of Fame

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

2009: Patriots win divisional title

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

2010: Named AP NFL Coach of the Year

In 2010, Bill Belichick was named the AP NFL Coach of the Year for the third time, further solidifying his reputation as an elite coach.

2011: Inducted into Phillips Academy Athletics Hall of Honor

In 2011, Phillips Academy inducted Bill Belichick into its Athletics Hall of Honor, recognizing his achievements as an alumnus.

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.

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.

May 2018: Belichick appointed to President Trump's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition

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

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.

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.

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 intended to award Bill Belichick the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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.

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.