Star coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots go their separate ways. As the 71-year-old and Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced together at a press conference on Thursday (January 11, 2024), they are mutually ending their collaboration after 24 seasons.
“After serious discussions, we have decided to part ways by mutual consent. For me, this is a day of gratitude and celebration”said Belichick. It was great to have been head coach for 24 years; the successes exceeded his wildest dreams: “I will always be a patriot.”
Owner Kraft said: “This is an emotional day for me. Some of my happiest and most memorable moments were celebrated with my family during Bill’s tenure here.”, he said. It will be an emotional day for many, “because it represents the end of an era that will always be celebrated in this region”. He will forever be celebrated as a legendary New England sports icon.
Six Super Bowl wins with Tom Brady
Belichick had been in office since 2000 and won six with the Foxborough team Super Bowl-Victory. This makes him the most successful coach in the history of the US professional football league NFL. Together with quarterbackLegend Tom Brady had shaped an era for Belichick. The coach-player duo won the Super Bowl in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017 and 2019.
At the end of the 2019/20 season, Brady left the Patriots after 20 years with the team. However, with him came success. The Patriots then only made it into the playoffs in 2021 under Belichick’s leadership.
Serious crisis with 13 defeats
This season, quarterback Mac Jones and Co. missed the fight for the Vince Lombardi Trophy more early than at any time since 2000/01. In 2023/24 they finished in last place with 13 defeats and just four wins AFC East away.
The separation from Belichick means the second end of a football dynasty in a short time. They only had it on Wednesday Seattle Seahawks announced that head coach Pete Carroll will only work in an advisory capacity from now on. Where and whether Belichick will continue his coaching career is unclear.