New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, one of the most successful coaches in National Football League history, has confirmed he will leave the team after 24 seasons.
Belichick, 71, and Patriots owner Robert Kraft met several times this week, ESPN reported, after the team finished the season with a dismal 4-13 record, the worst in Belichick's 29-year head coaching career.
After winning six Super Bowl titles with the Patriots, Belichick is regarded as one of the greatest coaches of all-time, leading the most decorated NFL dynasty in league history.
Speculation had mounted since November, however, that the New England team was ready for a coaching change as they grappled with their third losing season in four years since quarterback Tom Brady left to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020.
Appointed head coach in 2000, he led the Patriots to a 266-121 record, 17 AFC East titles -- including a league-record streak of 11 in a row from 2009 - and the team's nine Super Bowl appearances is tied for most by an NFL franchise. Their last Super Bowl victory was in 2018.
Belichick has more Super Bowl appearances as head coach than any team has made in NFL history, except the Patriots (with 11), and his 17 division titles are the most by a head coach with a single club.
Belichick's departure comes a day after Nick Saban retired after 17 seasons as head coach at Alabama and longtime Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll moved to an advisory position.
He thanked thanked owner Robert Kraft, who stood to Belichick's left when addressing the media today, and the more than 1,000 players he coached, his family and dozens of coaches and staff members.
"At this time, we're going to move on. I look forward and [am] excited for the future," Belichick said, ending his monologue with a handshake and thank you with Kraft.
"We had a vision of building a winner [and the results] exceeded my wildest dreams."
His voice cracking when referencing Patriots fans, Belichick largely kept his goodbye statement light and didn't take questions.
"Good morning. I haven't seen this many cameras since we signed [Tim] Tebow," he opened.
Iconic Patriots players like Tom Brady, Ty Law and Tedy Bruschi recognised had said there were plenty of tense days between coach and owner during their successful run together.
"Like a good marriage, a successful head coach or a relationship requires a lot of hard work. I've very proud our partnership lasted 24 years," Kraft said.
"This is a day of gratitude and celebration."
— NFL (@NFL) January 11, 2024
Bill Belichick and the Patriots announce they have mutually agreed to part ways. pic.twitter.com/4PFkRQJcGe
"I trusted my instincts to bring Bill back in 2000, after immediately regretting not hiring him after working together in 1996. When I did hire him, I was still making the transition from the fan who bought tickets in '71 on the metal bleachers with my boys to owner.
"We had high expectations for what we could achieve together. I think we were the only ones that had those expectations. I think it's safe to say we exceeded them, thanks to you."
Belichick has a head-coaching record nine Super Bowl appearances and plans to continue coaching, which will bring a new round of emotion for Kraft.
"I recognise that it also is a very emotional day for many of our fans, for most of our fans. It represents the end of an era. Hopefully it will always be celebrated in this region," Kraft said.
"Coach Belichick will forever be celebrated as a legendary sports icon here in New England and I believe going to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot. Why? He's the greatest coach of all-time."
