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 considered one of the greatest of all time. He holds the record for most Super Bowl wins as a head coach (six), all earned with the New England Patriots. He also secured two Super Bowl wins as the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants, for a total of eight Super Bowl victories as coach and coordinator. Known for his deep understanding of football history and player positions, he is often called a "student of the game". As the Patriots' head coach and de facto general manager from 2001 to 2019, Belichick was central to the team's dynasty.

Sections (5)

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

1934: Chicago Bears' Perfect Season

In 1934, the Chicago Bears recorded a perfect season. This was one of only four times in NFL history that the feat was accomplished, until the 2007 New England Patriots.

1942: Chicago Bears' Perfect Season

In 1942, the Chicago Bears recorded a perfect season. This was one of only four times in NFL history that the feat was accomplished, until the 2007 New England Patriots.

1948: Perfect Seasons in Professional Football

In 1948, the Cleveland Browns and the Calgary Stampeders recorded perfect seasons in the All-America Football Conference and the Canadian Football League, respectively. No team in the former American Football League ever had a perfect season. In 2007, Bill Belichick's New England Patriots would match that feat in the NFL.

1972: Miami Dolphins' Undefeated Season

In 1972, the Miami Dolphins achieved an undefeated season, winning 14 regular season games and three playoff games, solidifying their place in NFL history. This record for consecutive wins was later broken in 2004 by Bill Belichick's New England Patriots.

1973: Miami Dolphins' Consecutive Wins

In 1973, the Miami Dolphins held the record for most consecutive wins in the NFL. The Dolphins 18 straight victories were later broken in 2004 by Bill Belichick's New England Patriots.

1978: Introduction of the 16-Game Regular Season Schedule

In 1978, the NFL introduced the 16-game regular season schedule. In 2007, Bill Belichick's Patriots became the first team to achieve a perfect regular season since the introduction of the 16-game schedule.

1985: Denver Broncos Miss Playoffs

In 1985, the Denver Broncos were the only other 11-win team to miss the playoffs in a 16-game season. In 2008, the Patriots would also miss the playoffs despite winning 11 games.

1986: Won Super Bowl XXI with the New York Giants

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

1990: Giants won Super Bowl XXV

In 1990, the Giants won Super Bowl XXV, with Belichick as defensive coordinator.

1992: Dallas Cowboys' Dynasty Begins

In 1992, the Dallas Cowboys started a run where they won three Super Bowls in four years. Bill Belichick is the only coach to accomplish the feat as the Dallas Cowboys had two head coaches in the stretch they won three of four from 1992 to 1995.

1995: Dallas Cowboys' Dynasty Ends

In 1995, the Dallas Cowboys ended a run where they won three Super Bowls in four years. Bill Belichick is the only coach to accomplish the feat as the Dallas Cowboys had two head coaches in the stretch they won three of four from 1992 to 1995.

2001: Won Super Bowl XXXVI

In 2001, the Patriots won Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams, marking the first Super Bowl championship 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 achievements and contributions to the sport.

2003: Patriots win divisional title

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

2003: Won Super Bowl XXXVIII

In the 2003 season, the Patriots finished 14-2 and defeated the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII, winning Belichick the NFL Coach of the Year Award.

2004: Patriots Win Super Bowl XXXIX

In 2004, the Patriots finished with a 14–2 record and defeated the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional round. They won 21 consecutive games, breaking the record previously held by the Miami Dolphins. After defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game, the Patriots won Super Bowl XXXIX against the Philadelphia Eagles, becoming the second team to win three Super Bowls in four years.

2005: Patriots' Season and Coaching Milestone

In the 2005 season, the Patriots finished with a 10–6 record, defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card Round but losing to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round. During the season, Belichick surpassed Mike Holovak as the winningest coach in Patriots history with his 54th win.

2006: Patriots' Consecutive Wins Record

From 2006 to 2008, the Patriots set a record for consecutive regular-season wins with 21. The Patriots' winning streak ultimately ended in the 2008 season.

2007: Belichick Named NFL Coach of the Year

Following the "Spygate" incident and its aftermath, Belichick led the Patriots to a perfect 16–0 regular season record in 2007. He was awarded the 2007 NFL Coach of the Year Award, as voted on by the Associated Press.

2007: Patriots' Perfect Regular Season and Super Bowl XLII Loss

In 2007, Belichick led the Patriots to a perfect 16–0 regular season, making them the fourth team in NFL history to achieve this since the introduction of the 16-game schedule in 1978. They won their first two playoff games but were upset by the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII, with a final score of 17-14.

2007: Named AP NFL Coach of the Year

In 2007, Belichick was named the AP NFL Coach of the Year, recognizing his achievements and contributions to the sport.

2007: Patriots win divisional title

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

2008: Brady's Injury, Patriots' Record, and Playoff Miss

During the 2008 season, Tom Brady suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1. The Patriots set a record for consecutive regular-season wins with 21 (2006–08). Despite multiple injuries, they finished 11–5 but missed the playoffs for the first time since 2002 due to tiebreakers.

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

In Spring 2008, Belichick was part of the inaugural induction class into Wesleyan University's Athletics Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to the university's sports programs.

2009: Patriots win divisional title

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

2009: Patriots End 2018 without 12 Wins

In the 2018 season, the Patriots went 11-5, failing to win 12 or more games for the first time since 2009. Despite the decline in wins, the Patriots still captured their 10th consecutive AFC East title.

2010: Named AP NFL Coach of the Year

In 2010, Belichick was named the AP NFL Coach of the Year, recognizing his achievements and contributions to the sport.

2011: Inducted into Phillips Academy's Athletics Hall of Honor

In 2011, Phillips Academy inducted Bill Belichick into its Athletics Hall of Honor, recognizing his achievements and contributions to the school's athletic program.

2011: Patriots Win AFC Championship, Lose Super Bowl XLVI

In the 2011 season, the Patriots finished with a 13–3 record, topping the AFC. They won the AFC Championship against the Baltimore Ravens and advanced to Super Bowl XLVI, where they lost to the New York Giants 21–17.

2014: "We're on to Cincinnati" and Super Bowl XLIX Victory

In 2014, after a 2–2 start, Belichick famously said, "We're on to Cincinnati." The Patriots finished 12–4, defeated the Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts in the playoffs, and won Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks. Belichick tied Chuck Noll for the most Super Bowl wins by a head coach.

2016: Patriots' Super Bowl LI Comeback Victory

In the 2016 season, the Patriots finished with a 14–2 record. They defeated the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs before winning Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons in overtime, after being down 28–3. Belichick won his record fifth Super Bowl title as a head coach.

2017: Patriots' Season and Super Bowl LII Loss

In the 2017 season, the Patriots went 13–3, capturing their ninth consecutive AFC East title and 15th of the last 17 seasons. They won their first two playoff games before losing Super Bowl LII to the Philadelphia Eagles, 41–33.

May 2018: 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 Win Super Bowl LIII

In the 2018 season, the Patriots went 11–5 and won their 10th consecutive AFC East title. They defeated the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs before winning Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams 13–3. Belichick secured his sixth Super Bowl championship as a head coach, holding the most Super Bowl rings in NFL history with eight.

October 27, 2019: Belichick Obtains 300th Win

On October 27, 2019, Bill Belichick obtained his 300th win, combining regular and postseason games, as a head coach with 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 planned to award Belichick the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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

2021: Awarded a Sports Emmy

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

2023: Worst Loss and 300th Career Win

During the 2023 season, Belichick suffered his worst coaching loss to the Dallas Cowboys (38–3) and his worst home loss to the Saints (34–0). However, New England upset the Buffalo Bills, earning Belichick his 300th career regular season win as an NFL head coach. The Patriots finished the season 4-13, their worst record in Belichick's tenure.