NEW DELHI:
Bill Belichick
, the mastermind behind the
New England Patriots
' six Super Bowl victories, has officially ended his remarkable 24-year stint as the team's head coach. The departure was marked by a brief farewell on Thursday, where Belichick expressed gratitude towards owner
Robert Kraft
, the players he coached, his family, and the coaching staff.
Belichick, whose coaching journey began with the
Cleveland Browns
in 1991, leaves New England with an unparalleled legacy, amassing a regular-season record of 266-121 and a postseason mark of 30-12. His 333 career wins, including regular season and playoffs, are second only to Don Shula's 347.
The departure comes at a time when Belichick has one year left on his contract, leading to speculation about potential trade talks. However, reports suggest that the Patriots are not considering a trade, allowing Belichick the freedom to explore other head-coaching opportunities. Kraft, in his remarks, acknowledged the emotional significance of the day for fans, marking the end of an era.
The 71-year-old coaching legend, now a free agent, has drawn interest from multiple NFL teams looking to fill head-coaching vacancies. The
Atlanta Falcons
, in particular, are reportedly keen on Belichick, willing to offer him full control of the football operation.
During his tenure with the Patriots, Belichick orchestrated an unprecedented era of success, winning 17 AFC East titles, reaching 13 AFC championship games, and participating in nine Super Bowls. The highlight of his coaching career was the pairing with quarterback
Tom Brady
, a partnership that led to six Super Bowl victories, starting with their triumph in Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams.
As the Patriots bid farewell to a coaching legend, attention now turns to the search for Belichick's successor. Among the early favorites is 37-year-old Jerod Mayo, a former Patriots linebacker and a member of Belichick's coaching staff since 2019. The coaching carousel continues to turn in the NFL, with Belichick's departure joining recent exits by coaching luminaries Pete Carroll and Nick Saban.
(Inputs from Reuters)
English (US) ·