The locker room scenes are by far my most favorite highlights after the game, and the major reason I watch Patriot's All Access. Because they win so much, you might not know that they don't show a "locker room scene" when they lose. I wish they would. I bet it would be even more insightful and educational on how BB runs the team.
I think this clip demonstrates the real "love" this team has for their coach, but it also shows that its NOT the "hug it out", ""lets hang out", kind of love, but rather the kind of warm and appreciative feeling you have for that "favorite teacher" who was so meaningful in your life. They guy you originally hated because he was so hard, asked a lot from the class, and never gave you a break on exams. The guy you didn't really appreciate until the "next year". and beyond as the lessons he taught keep coming home.
BB is aloof, he's demanding, he's even somewhat scary in his persona. But to his players he's all those things and sort of the beloved professor. I think those players really do know that BB appreciates what they go through, and how hard they work. And I think they really appreciate how rigorously Bill tries to deflect credit. He does it more than any other coach in the NFL.
Its ironic that his national persona is that of some evil mastermind manipulating and deceiving people to HIS will. A man of GIGANTIC ego, who revels in his "genius" reputation. Where the reality is that Bill would be happy if he didn't have to speak to the media at all. He'd be cool if no on even knew his name. For Bill Bellicick true happiness is being around his coaching buddies watching film and dreaming up strategies, then going out on a field and work with young men on ways to improve their performance, and finally going out on game day and seeing your hard work play it self out in a true test of competition.....and get paid for it.
That's why BB doesn't do commercials. That's why he doesn't do analysis. That's why he's be the HC of the NE Patriots as long as he's healthy enough to do it, even after Tom Brady is gone. Because its simply what he's happiest and having the most fun doing....and if he wasn't doing it here, he'd be doing it at some HS and having almost just as much fun.
