Bill Belichick's Success and Achievements in Timeline

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

1994: Led Browns to Playoffs

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

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.

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.

2006: Patriots' winning streak

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

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.

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.

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, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: Sports Emmy Award

In 2021, 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

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.