A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Bill Belichick.
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.
Following the 1986 season, the New York Giants, with Bill Belichick as defensive coordinator, won Super Bowl XXI.
Following the 1990 season, the New York Giants, with Bill Belichick as defensive coordinator, won Super Bowl XXV.
In 1992, the Dallas Cowboys started a stretch where they won three of four Super Bowls.
In 1995, the Dallas Cowboys finished a stretch where they won three of four Super Bowls.
In 2001, Bill Belichick became a central figure as the head coach and de facto general manager during the New England Patriots' dynasty.
In 2001, the Patriots won Super Bowl XXXVI, marking the first Super Bowl championship in Patriots history with Bill Belichick as coach.
In 2003, Bill Belichick was named the AP NFL Coach of the Year.
In 2003, the Patriots finished 14-2, won Super Bowl XXXVIII, and Bill Belichick was awarded the NFL Coach of the Year Award.
In 2003, the Patriots won a divisional title, marking the beginning of a successful era under Belichick's leadership.
In 2004, the Patriots finished with a 14-2 record, broke the record for most consecutive victories, and won Super Bowl XXXIX.
From 2006 to 2008, the Patriots won 21 regular season games in a row. In 2008, they broke their own record with this achievement.
Following the Spygate incident and the Patriots' perfect 16-0 regular season, Belichick was awarded the 2007 NFL Coach of the Year Award by the Associated Press.
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.
In 2007, Bill Belichick was named the AP NFL Coach of the Year.
In 2007, the Patriots won a divisional title, continuing their streak of consecutive titles from 2003.
In spring 2008, Bill Belichick was part of the inaugural induction class into Wesleyan University's Athletics Hall of Fame.
In 2009, the Patriots won a divisional title, marking the start of an eleven-year streak of consecutive titles.
In 2010, Bill Belichick was named the AP NFL Coach of the Year.
In 2011, 40 years after attending, Phillips Academy honored Bill Belichick by inducting him into its Athletics Hall of Honor.
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.
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.
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.
In May 2018, President Donald Trump appointed Belichick to be a member of his Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.
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.
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.
In 2019, the Patriots won a divisional title, marking the end of an eleven-year streak of consecutive titles that began in 2009.
On January 10, 2021, it was reported that then-President Donald Trump planned to award Belichick the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
In 2021, Belichick was awarded a Sports Emmy for his contributions to the NFL 100 All-Time Team series.
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.