PHOENIX (Star-Tribune) — He’s been called the Evil Genius, and he’s been fined for spying on an opponent. And now there are questions about deflated footballs.
Any visual portrait of Bill Belichick likely has him wearing a hoodie — and a scowl. Many of his media duties are marked by terse answers or outright stonewalling.
All of which masks the impact and longevity of the New England Patriots boss, the winningest coach in postseason NFL history.
Belichick is about to lead his team into its sixth Super Bowl in 14 seasons. No one, not Chuck Noll or Tom Landry or Marv Levy or Bill Walsh — all Hall of Famers — managed that. Since Belichick took over the Patriots in 2000 after a five-season flop as head man in Cleveland, there have been 119 coaching changes. In the AFC East alone, which the Patriots have won 12 of 14 seasons, 17 coaches have come and gone, according to STATS.