by Ian O'Connor
Murray Bauer, Joe Favorito, Jay Flannelly, Geoff Hobson, Andrew Howard, Steve Kennelly, Jim Kleinpeter, Andrew Korba, Joe Posnanski, Dick Quinn, Peter Reilly, Avis Roper, Jim Saccomano, Paul Santangelo, Don Sperling, and Matt Turk all made notable contributions. Thanks to the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, which does God’s work for cancer patients. And a special thanks to those who put their trust in me and anonymously aided my pursuit of the truth—you know who you are.
My literary agent, David Black, is the best in the business by a country mile, in addition to being a tough and brave man. At Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Megan Wilson was a fierce advocate of my work, again, and Will Palmer was everything you could ask for in a copy editor and more. Jenny Xu made the entire process much smoother than it could have been, and the outstanding Susan Canavan, editor for three of my four books, was a smart and reassuring voice even as she was instructing me to cut 30,000 words from my original document.
Finally, my wife, Tracey, and son, Kyle, deserve some sort of commendation for putting up with my disengagement for the past three years. They are the best friends I’ve ever had, and I could not have carried this project into the end zone without their unconditional love and support.
A Note on the Author’s Interviews and Sources
Bill Belichick did not agree to be interviewed for this project. His quotations throughout are primarily from the thousands of news conferences and mass media availabilities he has participated in during his NFL coaching career and from the print and broadcast outlets cited in these pages. The author interviewed more than 350 people exclusively for this book, and those interviews served as the foundation of the narrative. The following is a chapter-by-chapter summary of additional sources that made important contributions.
1. The Teacher
Paul Stillwell, The Golden Thirteen: Recollections of the First Black Naval Officers (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1993).
David Halberstam, The Education of a Coach (New York: Hyperion, 2005).
“John J. Bell,” Progress-Index (Petersburg, VA), December 3, 2006.
Anthony G. De Lorenzo, “Steve Belichick Pressed into Service After Lloyd Cardwell, Hard-Running Regular, Is Hurt in Game with Cleveland,” United Press, November 15, 1941.
Dan Daly, “Bill Belichick’s Old Man Was Pretty Amazing, Too,” Washington Times, August 29, 2002.
Vardy Buckalew, “Belichick Joined Carolina Staff with Top Pass Defense Record,” Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, NC), November 6, 1953.
Bob Hohler, “Belichick Family Tree Filled with Surprises,” Boston Globe, July 18, 2017.
“Belichick to Take Over Commodore Backfield,” Nashville Tennessean, August 21, 1949.
“Belichick-Munn,” Palm Beach Post (FL), August 24, 1950.
Ken Rodgers, dir., A Football Life: Bill Belichick (Mount Laurel, NJ: NFL Films, 2011).
Rich Cimini, “It’s Belichick to Patriots’ Defense: Has Been Scheming for This Day Since Age 6,” Daily News (New York), February 3, 2002.
Bill Belichick, interview by Armen Keteyian, NFL Today, CBS Sports, October 3, 2005.
Ian O’Connor, “Invincibility of Belichick Enhanced by His Invisibility,” USA Today, January 20, 2004.
Steve Belichick, Football Scouting Methods (New York: Ronald Press Co., 1962).
2. Big Al
Robert Fachet, “With the Belichicks, the Apple Hasn’t Fallen Far from the Tree,” Washington Post, February 7, 1991.
Ron Borges, “What Makes Bill Belichick Tick?” Boston Globe Magazine, September 10, 2000.
Ken Rodgers, dir., A Football Life: Bill Belichick (Mount Laurel, NJ: NFL Films, 2011).
Rick Maese, “Full Speed Ahead for Belichick, Just a Chip off the Navy Block,” Washington Post, January 21, 2007.
“Annapolis Invades Severna Park Tomorrow: Panthers Assured of Title,” Evening Capital (Annapolis, MD), November 27, 1968.
3. Andover
Bill Burt, “ ‘I Owe This School a Lot’; Belichick Holds 1 Year at Phillips in High Regard,” Andover Townsman (MA), February 2, 2015.
Ron Borges, “What Makes Bill Belichick Tick?” Boston Globe Magazine, September 10, 2000.
Bill Burt, “Phillips Andover Honors Belichick,” Eagle-Tribune (North Andover, MA), June 12, 2011.
David Halberstam, The Education of a Coach (New York: Hyperion, 2005).
“PA Football Sets Back Tufts Freshmen, 26–12; Blue Passing Attack Accounts for 219 Yards,” Phillipian, October 7, 1970.
Buzzy Bissinger, “Andover Football Trips Lawrenceville,” Phillipian, October 21, 1970.
Buzzy Bissinger, “Unbeaten PA Football Trounces Exeter, 34–8; Takes First Home Win Over PEA Since 1958,” Phillipian, November 18, 1970.
Bill Belichick, “Coach Bill Belichick Day” speech to Phillips Academy student body, Andover, MA, February 27, 2002.
Michael Kranish, “Jeb Bush Shaped by Troubled Phillips Academy Years,” Boston Globe, February 1, 2015.
Jeb Bush, interview by Clay Travis, Fox Sports Live: Countdown to Kickoff, FS1, October 10, 2015.
Terry Pluto, “The Man Behind the Mask,” Akron Beacon Journal, December 18, 1994.
4. Wesleyan
David Halberstam, The Education of a Coach (New York: Hyperion, 2005).
Bill Newell, “Trinity Holds Cards, 21–15,” Hartford Courant, November 17, 1974.
Rich Cimini, “Belichick, Bon Jovi in Perfect Harmony,” Daily News (New York), January 25, 2004.
Al Hopkins, “4 on the Path of Prominence,” Capital (Annapolis, MD), June 6, 1975.
5. Billy Ball
Bill Belichick, interview by Armen Keteyian, NFL Today, CBS Sports, October 3, 2005.
Seth Wickersham, “Shipp Shaped Belichick’s Thinking,” ESPN.com, September 4, 2009.
Bill Belichick, interview by Suzy Welch, Power Lunch, CNBC, April 13, 2017.
Ron Jaworski with Greg Cosell and David Plaut, The Games That Changed the Game: The Evolution of the NFL in Seven Sundays (New York: ESPN Books, 2010).
Woody Paige, “Belichick’s Roots in Denver,” Denver Post, January 29, 2008.
6. Little Bill
Barrie Dawson, “Giants Turn Dramatic Victory into Defeat,” Journal News (White Plains, NY), November 16, 1981.
Michael Eisen, “Exploring the Legacy of Bill Parcells,” Giants.com, August 3, 2013.
Ken Rodgers, dir., “The Two Bills,” ESPN 30 for 30, NFL Films, February 1, 2018.
Bob Papa, “Bill Parcells,” Giants Chronicles video, July 16, 2014.
Bob Papa, “Bill Belichick,” Giants Chronicles video, March 21, 2012.
Lawrence Taylor with William Wyatt, My Giant Life (Chicago: Triumph Books, 2016).
Lawrence Taylor with Steve Serby, LT: Over the Edge (New York: HarperCollins, 2003).
Ian O’Connor, “Patriots’ Coach Establishing His Legacy As Best of a Generation,” Journal News (White Plains, NY), February 6, 2005.
Bernie Miklasz, “Friendly Rivals: Belichick Got Start Under Marchibroda,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 26, 1991.
Greg Garber, “Being Driven Takes Them Far: Giants’ Belichick, Bills’ Marchibroda: Roads Meet Again,” Hartford Courant, January 24, 1991.
Ian O’Connor, “Belichick Battle Plan a Key to Victory,” Asbury Park Press (NJ), January 17, 1999.
“Bills’ Offensive Coordinator Is Hoping Belichick Gets Opportunity with Browns,” Buffalo News, January 28, 1991.
7. Cleveland
Steve Love, “Ten-Hut! Mr. Belichick! New Leader for Gen. Modell’s Squad,” Akron Beacon Journal, February 6, 1991.
Bill Belichick introductory press conference, WEWS-TV News 5, Cleveland, February 5, 1991.
Ed Meyer, “Coach Grasps the Details: 38-Year-Old Takes ‘Hard Way’ to Browns,” Akron Beacon Journal, February 6, 1991.
Associated Press, “Saban Named to Browns’ Staff,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette (OH), February 14, 1991.
Tony Grossi, “Belichick Insightful When Paid to Talk,” Plain Dealer (Cleveland), Augus
t 29, 1991.
Joe Schad, “Friends Draw Line in Sand,” Palm Beach Post (FL), January 9, 2005.
Dan Shaughnessy, “Saban’s Disguises Look Very Familiar,” Boston Globe, December 11, 2006.
Jeffrey Brodeur, “Michael Dean Perry Ends Holdout,” Associated Press, August 27, 1991.
Dan Shaughnessy, “The New Bill Belichick Is Wise Enough to Know He’s Not Changing,” ESPN the Magazine, September 2000.
Ed Meyer, “Victory at Any Cost: Belichick Has Powers of Persuasion,” Akron Beacon Journal, September 4, 1992.
Tony Grossi, “Langhorne: Worst Year of My Life,” Plain Dealer (Cleveland), March 31, 1992.
Associated Press, “Browns Defensive Lineman Perry Angered by Belichick’s Comments,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette (OH), July 24, 1992.
8. Mistakes by the Lake
Mary Kay Cabot, “Modell: Success or I’ll Leave,” Plain Dealer (Cleveland), December 31, 1992.
Marla Ridenour, “Belichick: Browns Need Tuneup, Not Overhaul: Coach Admits Making His Share of Mistakes,” Columbus Dispatch, December 30, 1992.
Terry Pluto, “The Man Behind the Mask,” Akron Beacon Journal, December 18, 1994.
Marla Ridenour, “Belichick: Testaverde Earned Shot,” Columbus Dispatch, October 12, 1993.
Mary Kay Cabot, “Belichick Deal Extended to ’97,” Plain Dealer (Cleveland), October 22, 1993.
Ed Meyer, “Bernie Gets Sacked: Browns Waive Kosar, Citing Diminished Skills. Belichick Takes the Heat,” Akron Beacon Journal, November 9, 1993.
Mary Kay Cabot, “Mrs. Coach: Debby Belichick Is No Bench Warmer for the Cleveland Browns,” Plain Dealer (Cleveland), May 14, 1995.
John McClain, “Browns’ Belichick Unpopular with Everyone,” Houston Chronicle, November 19, 1993.
Chuck Heaton, “Modell Says Byner Trade Was ‘Lousy,’” Plain Dealer (Cleveland), October 9, 1991.
Bill Belichick, interview by Mike Veneman, “Sports Mock Live,” Browns Insider, 1994.
John Curran, “For Boardwalk Popcorn Store, a Brisk Mail-Order Biz,” Associated Press, December 13, 2003.
Jon Saraceno, “Browns Fans Still Blue: Belichick Tunes Out Dawg Pound,” USA Today, December 2, 1994.
Michael Holley, “Not the People’s Choice; All the Success in the World Can’t Turn the Fans On to Coach Belichick,” Boston Globe, December 30, 1994.
David Ginsburg, “Art Modell Moves Browns to Baltimore,” Associated Press, November 6, 1995.
Tony Grossi, Tales from the Cleveland Browns Sideline (New York: Sports Publishing, 2004).
Greg Frith, “Cleveland ’95: A Football Life,” NFL Films, October 3, 2012.
Brad Parks, “That’s All, Folks,” Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), January 4, 2000.
9. Border War
Will McDonough, “Parcells to Leave; His Poor Relationship with Kraft Cited—Contract Controversy Looms,” Boston Globe, January 20, 1997.
“Patriots Owner Scolds Parcells,” New York Times, August 28, 1996.
Michael Holley, Patriot Reign: Bill Belichick, the Coaches, and the Players Who Built a Champion (New York: William Morrow, 2004).
Michael Felger, Tales from the Patriots Sideline (Champaign, IL: Sports Publishing, 2004).
Rich Cimini, “As Head Guy, Beli Checks Out,” Daily News (New York), February 12, 1997.
Rich Cimini, “Tuna Take on Time Sounds a Bit Fishy,” Daily News (New York), September 2, 2000.
David Halberstam, The Education of a Coach (New York: Hyperion, 2005).
Bill Parcells with Nunyo Demasio, Parcells: A Football Life (New York: Crown Archetype, 2014).
Wayne Parry, “Sacked Again: Judge Denies Belichick Request to Negotiate with Pats,” Associated Press, January 25, 2000.
Peter King, “Robert Kraft Made a Mistake and Turned It into a Dynasty,” The MMQB, SI.com, January 30, 2017.
Bill Parcells to Robert Kraft, January 27, 2000, posted on Twitter by Levan Reid (@LevanReid), WBZ-TV CBS, Boston, January 27, 2016.
10. Brady
“Not So Special Start,” Patriots.com, July 17, 2000.
Michael Smith, “Patriots Make Brady No. 2 QB,” Boston Globe, September 5, 2001.
Kevin Mannix, “Patriots QB Coach Dead; Heart Condition Claims Rehbein,” Boston Herald, August 7, 2001.
Michael Felger, “For Pats, Life Looks Better—Positive Signs Everywhere,” Boston Herald, July 29, 2001.
Pepper Johnson with Bill Gutman, Won for All (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2002).
Ian O’Connor, “Surpassing Michael Jordan As Ultimate GOAT Is Brady’s Last Challenge,” ESPN.com, May 15, 2017.
Ian O’Connor, “The Ravens Coach Who Pushed to Pick Tom Brady in 2000 Draft,” ESPN.com, January 14, 2017.
George Kimball, “Debate Ends Quickly,” Boston Herald, October 8, 2001.
Ken Powers, “Brady Leads N.E. to Win in Overtime Against San Diego,” Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, MA), October 15, 2001.
Shalise Manza Young, “Belichick: Moss Traits Are Like 2 of the Greats,” Providence Journal, November 7, 2009.
Steve Buckley, “The Metamorphosis of Bill Belichick,” Boston Herald, December 9, 2001.
David Pevear, “Emotional Rescue at the Old Gray Stadium,” Sun (Lowell, MA), December 22, 2001.
Mark Cannizzaro, “Patriots’ Title Hopes Are Snowballing,” New York Post, January 20, 2002.
11. Champion
Pepper Johnson with Bill Gutman, Won for All (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2002).
Tim Casey, “Fans in Foxboro Turn Out in Force,” Boston Globe, January 28, 2002.
Nick Cafardo, The Impossible Team: The Worst to First Patriots’ Super Bowl Season (Chicago: Triumph Books, 2002).
Steve Buckley, “The Metamorphosis of Bill Belichick,” Boston Herald, December 9, 2001.
Michael Wilbon, “Belichick Is a Changed Man, and Change Is Good,” Washington Post, February 3, 2005.
Gordon Edes, “Head Games: Patriots Coach Has Well-Earned Reputation for Stopping Whatever’s Thrown His Way,” Boston Globe, February 2, 2002.
Michael Felger, “Believe It: Pats Super; Vinatieri, Brady Deliver in Thrilling Championship Win,” Boston Herald, February 4, 2002.
Charlie Weis and Vic Carucci, No Excuses: One Man’s Incredible Rise Through the NFL to Head Coach of Notre Dame (New York: HarperEntertainment, 2006).
Pat Summerall and John Madden, Super Bowl XXXVI broadcast, Fox, February 3, 2002.
Greg Garber, “Brady-to-Brown Puts Pats in Position,” ESPN.com, February 3, 2002.
Phil Sheridan, “Belichick Dared Pats to Take It to the Rams,” Philadelphia Inquirer, February 5, 2002.
George Kimball, “Belichick Wins a New Image, Too,” Boston Herald, February 4, 2002.
Michael Holley, Patriot Reign: Bill Belichick, the Coaches, and the Players Who Built a Champion (New York: William Morrow, 2004).
12. Bigger Bill
Jimmy Golen, “Patriots Cut Four-Time Pro Bowler Milloy,” Associated Press, September 2, 2003.
George Kimball, “Lawyer Collects His Fee,” Boston Herald, September 8, 2003.
Kevin Mannix, “Self-Paralysis; Belichick’s Gamble on Milloy Could Cut Legs Out from Under Him, Pats,” Boston Herald, September 7, 2003.
Jimmy Golen, “Patriots Say They Don’t ‘Hate’ Belichick,” Associated Press, September 15, 2003.
Bill Belichick, “O.K., Champ, Now Comes the Hard Part,” New York Times, January 26, 2003.
Jackie MacMullan, “Pioli and Belichick a Nice Team,” Boston Globe, January 26, 2004.
Karen Guregian, “Hate Is Strong Word,” Boston Herald, September 15, 2003.
David Pevear, “Patriot Players Maintain They Remain Solidly Behind Belichick,” Sun (Lowell, MA), September 15, 2003.
Michael Holley, Patriot Reign: Bill Belichick, the Coaches, and the Players Who Built a Champion (New York: William Morrow, 2004).
Dan Shaughnessy, “Efficient Win Engineered by Team of Experts,” Boston Globe, November 17, 2003.
Mark Cannizzaro, �
�The Great Escape; Belichick Knew What He Was Doing When He Bolted Jets,” New York Post, January 16, 2004.
Bryan Burwell, “Dungy Proves You Can Be Calm and Win in NFL,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 16, 2004.
Dave Goldberg, “Patriots 24, Colts 14,” Associated Press, January 19, 2004.
Rich Cimini, “Belichick, Bon Jovi in Perfect Harmony,” Daily News (New York), January 25, 2004.
Adam Schefter, “Fox, Belichick on Cutting Edge,” Denver Post, January 29, 2004.
Steve Serby, “Fresh Despair for Delhomme,” New York Post, January 29, 2016.
Bill Belichick, Super Bowl speeches, NFL Network Sound FX, NFL Films.
Greg Gumbel and Phil Simms, Super Bowl XXXVIII broadcast, CBS, February 1, 2004.
Bob McGinn, “Belichick Most Fascinating NFL Figure,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 4, 2017.
13. Dynasty
Bill Belichick, speech at Sports Medicine and the NFL symposium, quoted in Mike Reiss, “Belichick’s Keynote Address: Passion Plus,” ESPN.com, May 10, 2013.
Michael Wilbon, “Belichick Is a Changed Man, and Change Is Good,” Washington Post, February 3, 2005.
Jarrett Bell, “Piecing the Patriots Together,” USA Today, April 22, 2005.
Todd Jones, “Belichick Has Come a Long Way in 10 Years,” Columbus Dispatch, December 6, 2004.
Tim Warren, “Mystery Man,” Northwestern, Winter 2008.
Les Carpenter, “ ‘Football Researcher’ Ernie Adams Is Biggest Mystery Behind Bill Belichick’s Secretive Patriots,” Yahoo! Sports, February 2, 2012.