Bill Belichick’s exit signals the ‘worst day in New England Patriots history’, fans claim… as they hail the ‘greatest to ever do it’
By Ben Nagle For Dailymail.Com[1]
Published: 13:05, 11 January 2024 | Updated: 13:21, 11 January 2024
Fans have slammed the New England Patriots[2]‘ decision to let Bill Belichick[3] leave, calling today the ‘worst day in franchise history’.
Belichick exits after 24 years, six Super Bowls and the most successful NFL coaching tenure of all-time, but also in the aftermath of a disastrous 4-13 season.
He is expected to take another job in the NFL, and Patriots fans have shared their thoughts on billionaire owner Robert Kraft[4] letting their legendary coach walk out the door.
‘Today is the worst day in #Patriots team history,’ one wrote. ‘Moving on from Bill Belichick after everything he’s done for the franchise is disgusting, no appreciation at all for a man that brought them 6 Super Bowls and turned them into a historic franchise. Robert Kraft will forever regret this.’
Elsewhere, another posted a photo of Belichick standing alongside his six Super Bowl[5] trophies, with the caption: ‘Greatest to ever do it.’
Bill Belichick is out as the head coach of the New England Patriots after 24 years in the role
He was labeled as the ‘greatest to ever do it’ by fans on social media early on Thursday morning
One account claimed that billionaire owner Robert Kraft will forever regret letting Belichick go
Belichick’s Patriots exit marks the third legendary coach to leave their position in just the last 24 hours, with the 71-year-old following Seattle’s Pete Carroll and Alabama[6]‘s Nick Saban out the door.
One NFL fan took to X to comment: ‘Wow, so many legends gone over the last 24 hours.’
Another added: ‘Unbelievable week in the world of football. Legends are retiring and/or being let go creating opportunities for others.
But who will be brave enough to replace Belichick, Carrol and Saban?’
The 71-year-old Belichick ranks third among NFL coaches in regular-season victories with 302 – just 26 behind the leader Don Shula, who won only two Super Bowls with the Miami Dolphins[7] after failing to do so with the Baltimore Colts.
Including the postseason, Belichick’s 33 wins trail only Shula’s 347.
But even without the NFL record for wins, Belichick’s resume within the league is unparalleled.
A three-time AP Coach of the Year, Belichick was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s and 2010s, as well as the league’s 10th Anniversary All-Time Team.[8]
Belichick (left in 2012) and Patriots owner Robert Kraft (right) were expected to meet this week
Belichick smiles alongside Tom Brady after beating the Browns for his 100th victory in 2019
Including his time as Parcells’ defensive coordinator with the New York Giants, Belichick has a record eight Super Bowl[9] rings.
Furthermore, he holds head-coaching records for most Super Bowl wins (six), Super Bowl appearances (nine), playoff wins (31), playoff appearances (19) and divisional titles (17).
In fact, Belichick has missed the postseason only 10 times in 29 years as a head coach: four of his five dismal seasons with the Cleveland Browns, and six more times in New England.
What’s more, Belichick missed the playoffs only once with a healthy Brady, who abandoned his long-time coach before the 2020 season to sign with Tampa Bay, where he won his seventh Super Bowl title as a player.
References
- ^ Ben Nagle For Dailymail.Com (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ New England Patriots (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Bill Belichick (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Robert Kraft (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Super Bowl (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Alabama (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Miami Dolphins (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s and 2010s, as well as the league’s 10th Anniversary All-Time Team. (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Super Bowl (www.dailymail.co.uk)