Bill Belichick: The Greatest of All-Time

Bill Belichick has been on a profesional coaching staff in the NFL since 1975 when he was hired by Ted Marchibroda of the Baltimore Colts as an assistant. As of another Superbowl win on Feb. 1st 2015 he has officially been a professional football coach for exactly 40 years. His record as an assistant, coordinater and Head Coach/GM is unparreled in the history of football:
1975* BAl 10-4 0-1 Playoffs.
1976 DET 6-8-0
1977 DET 6-8-0
1978 DEN* 10-6-0 0-1 Playoffs
1979 NYG 6-10-0
1980 NYG 4-12-0
1981 NYG 9-7-0 1-1 Playoffs
1982 NYG 4-5-0 Strike shortened season
1983 NYG 3-12-1
1984 NYG 9-7-0 1-1 Playoffs
1985 NYG 10-6-0 1-1 Playoffs
1986 NYG* 14-2-0 3-0 SB Champions
1987 NYG 6-9-0 Strike shotened season
1988 NYG 10-6-0
1989* NYG 12-4-0 0-1 Playoffs
1990* NYG 13-3-0 3-0 SB Champions
1991 CLE 6-10-0
1992 CLE 7-9-0
1993 CLE 7-9-0
1994 CLE 10-6-0 1-1 Playoffs
1995 CLE 5-11-0
1996* NE 11-5-0 Lost SB
1997 NYJ 9-7-0
1998* NYJ 12-4-0 1-1 Lost Conf. Champ
1999 NYJ 8-8-0
2000 NE 5-11-0
2001* NE 11-5-0 3-0 SB Champions
2002 NE 9-7-0
2003* NE 14-2-0 3-0 SB Champions
2004* NE 14-2-0 3-0 SB Champions
2005* NE 10-6-0 1-1
2006* NE 12-4-0 2-1 Lost Conf. Champ
2007* NE 16-0-0 2-1 Lost SB
2008 NE 11-5-0
2009* NE 10-6-0 0-1
2010* NE 14-2-0 0-1
2011* NE 13-3-0 2-1 Lost SB
2012* NE 12-4-0 1-1 Lost Conf. Champ
2013* NE 12-4-0 1-1 Lost Conf. Champ
2014* NE 12-4-0 3-0 SB Champions
*Division Champion

His overall record of various coaching positions while being a member of the staff is 383-242-1 in the regular season for a .611 winning %. Add in his imprssive playoff record of 34-17 (.667) and that would put his all-time record over 40 years at 417-259-1. Having BB on your staff has yeided a .617 win %.

Although he's endured through 12 sub-.500 seasons in his long career, he has been to the playoffs in 23 different seasons, coached for 19 division winners, been to 13 Conference Championship games and 9 Superbowls.

When he finally decides to call it a career the 5 year waiting period for the Hall should be waived.

No. Paul Brown was the greatest. Bill Belichick is the best.

And by the way -- Art Modell fired both of them.

Fencer said:

No. Paul Brown was the greatest. Bill Belichick is the best.

And by the way -- Art Modell fired both of them.

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Actually, George Halas had a better career win% than Brown.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/HalaGe0.htm
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/BrowPa0.htm

Belichick if given the time and support might've even made the Browns a Super Bowl team. That's how good he is.

OhExaulted1 said:

Actually, George Halas had a better career win% than Brown.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/HalaGe0.htm
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/BrowPa0.htm

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Be that as it may, Brown was an amazing innovator.

BB is however better than the greatest of 50+ years ago -- standing on the shoulders of giants, he has seen further than they did.

I am 45 years old and a lifelong Pats fan since I can remember watching and following football since at least 1977 and BB is the greatest in MY lifetime so far....hands down no contest.

I would say Belichick is the best. Brown was amazing, but he didn't have free agency or the dilluted player pool due to 32 team league to deal with. I think success over this long of period in the salary cap era is unprecedented and a far greater achievement than any other coach has achieved.

I wish my Grandfather lived to see the Belichick and Brady era. If he knew the Patriots were going to get the GOAT head coach and the GOAT quarterback for the GOAT dynasty of 14+ years, well, that's something he would of wanted to see.

The Patriots are now a tier 1 all time historic franchise with just 3 other teams. Considering we didn't win a Superbowl until 2001, that's nothing short of uniquely spectacular.

Belichick is a total boss.

LeoparCT said:

Belichick if given the time and support might've even made the Browns a Super Bowl team. That's how good he is.

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Is that a joke...I don't see a smiley.

In this discussion everything needs to be qualified... during the BB era he has had to deal with free agency and salary cap issues, despite those "impediments" he has kept the team as the best franchise for most of the last 15 years.... most of the other coaches in this conversation did not.

I grew up a Cleveland Browns Fan, in those days of limited media we never focused on the coach... the players were the main attraction.

The interesting thing to me is seeing how the success followed as his influence and role grew. Marginal success in his special teams days with Baltimore, Detroit and the early Giants days--including some out-right stinkers. Incredible run with the Giants as DC, including two SB victories, though still some poor seasons sprinkled in. The Cleveland run should be thrown out because he righted the ship before the disastrous move year in 1995. Then another solid run as asst. head coach between NE and NY, before the obviously incredible run in the 2000's.

Whether or not he's the GOAT head coach is debatable, there's some solid competition and it's just impossible to compare eras. What isn't debatable is that he's the best HC in the league right now, and he's so clearly ahead of everyone else that there shouldn't be a #2 or #3.

It's too bad that Belichick's success as a coach isn't taken into consideration by the mediots. It's great to see it here. Is there any other DC who has his defensive game plan for a SB win on display at the NFL HOF? I don't think so.

mgcolby said:

Is that a joke...I don't see a smiley.

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The Browns were a pre-season Super Bowl favorite in 1995. The season was utterly destroyed when the team move was announced. Another example of the importance of working for good ownership in the NFL.

mgcolby said:

Is that a joke...I don't see a smiley.

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I agree, but more as a reflection on how Modell, Son of John, Firer of Paul Brown, Firer of Bill Belichick, Mover of the Browns, protector of Ray Lewis, would be supposed to do the right thing.

OhExaulted1 said:

When he finally decides to call it a career the 5 year waiting period for the Hall should be waived.

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There's no way they'll waive the waiting period. They will make him wait, and I'll wager they'll not let him be a first ballot HOF'er. The stain of the video-taping-scandal-that-must-not-be-named and sheer jealousy will hang over his head the moment he announces he's done. Petty BS in my opinion.

It should be a unanimous slam dunk. We'll see. I can promise you this, I'll make my first pilgrimage to Canton to see him inducted. The man is the best ever.

Steve:Section 102 said:

There's no way they'll waive the waiting period. They will make him wait, and I'll wager they'll not let him be a first ballot HOF'er. The stain of the video-taping-scandal-that-must-not-be-named and sheer jealousy will hang over his head the moment he announces he's done. Petty BS in my opinion.

It should be a unanimous slam dunk. We'll see. I can promise you this, I'll make my first pilgrimage to Canton to see him inducted. The man is the best ever.

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I don't think they'll have a choice he'll be first ballot.

He's up there with Lombardi

Steve:Section 102 said:

There's no way they'll waive the waiting period. They will make him wait, and I'll wager they'll not let him be a first ballot HOF'er. The stain of the video-taping-scandal-that-must-not-be-named and sheer jealousy will hang over his head the moment he announces he's done. Petty BS in my opinion.

It should be a unanimous slam dunk. We'll see. I can promise you this, I'll make my first pilgrimage to Canton to see him inducted. The man is the best ever.

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There is absolutely no way Bill Belichick doesn't get in first try. Even speculating that BB doesn't get in is one of the most absolutely ridiculous things I've ever heard. And I'm not exaggerating, one of the most RIDICULOUS things I've ever heard.

glm said:

There is absolutely no way Bill Belichick doesn't get in first try. Even speculating that BB doesn't get in is one of the most absolutely ridiculous things I've ever heard. And I'm not exaggerating, one of the most RIDICULOUS things I've ever heard.

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Look, I don't disagree, but the voters may feel differently. Here's Chris Villani's take:

Belichick will get to Canton, and frankly there are far greater travesties in the world than if he doesn't get in on the first ballot. (HOF voter Clark) Judge has a feeling that's exactly what might happen.

"[Spygate] will not keep him out, but it may be the board of electors' way of sending a message," he said. "The message is: 'We recognize it happened, we do think it's part of your legacy, and for that reason you have to wait a year.' "

So when Belichick retires, he waits six years instead of five, and then goes directly to football immortality. But only one extra year. Any longer than that and I'll get out a pitchfork myself.

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Read his whole piece here.

Steve:Section 102 said:

Look, I don't disagree, but the voters may feel differently. Here's Chris Villani's take:


Read his whole piece here.

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It would be so great if he told them to stuff their HOF. His legacy is assured regardless of the votes of some scum who wouldn't be worthy of sniffing his jock.