Bill Belichick finally had something interesting to say.
Known as well for his terse and intentionally unrevealing answers at news conferences as for winning six Super Bowls, Belichick kept it short but sweet Thursday as he announced that he and the Patriots are parting ways after 24 seasons as head coach and chief football executive.
“For me this is a day of gratitude and celebration,” Belichick said before thanking owner Robert Kraft and family as well as his assistant coaches and more than 1,000 players. “We had a vision of building a winner, building a championship football team here. And it exceeded my wildest dreams and expectations — the amount of success we were able to achieve together through a lot of hard work and the contributions of so many people.”
Belichick actually opened with an uncharacteristic joke, referencing the media circus that followed former quarterback Tim Tebow everywhere from the University of Florida to the Broncos to the Jets to the Patriots in 2013.
“I haven’t seen this many cameras since we signed Tebow,” Belichick quipped.
Neither Belichick nor Kraft took questions from reporters, but Kraft indicated Belichick will continue coaching somewhere else in the NFL.
The Patriots and Bill Belichick will reportedly part ways on Thursday after 24 years and six Super Bowl wins.
Rumors had swirled around Belichick’s future all season as the Patriots finished with a 4-13 record and missed the playoffs for the third time in four seasons. Belichick met with Patriots owner Robert Kraft over the past several days before reaching the mutual decision.
Belichick notched a 266-121 overall record with the Patriots and has another 31 playoff victories.
The 71-year-old has no plans to retire, and needs just 15 more wins to match Don Shula’s all-time wins record — regular season and playoffs — by a head coach in NFL history.
The Falcons, who fired Arthur Smith after the season, are the most likely suitor for Belichick, according to ESPN.
Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo is the favorite to replace Belichick with Mike Vrabel, who was fired by the Titans, also a possibility. Others with prior ties to the Patriots, including Brian Flores and Josh McDaniels, could be in the mix as well.
“I’ll always be a Patriot,” Belichick said. “I look forward to coming back here, but at this time we are going to move on. I look forward and am excited for the future, but always very, very appreciative of the opportunity, the support here, and, Robert, what you’ve done for me.”
Belichick’s 302 career regular-season victories — 266 of which came with the Patriots — trails only Don Shula and George Halas. His 31 playoff victories — 30 of which came with the Patriots — are the most of all time.
“The fans here are amazing,” Belichick said with a quiver in his voice. “There are so many memories — the send-offs, the parades, the Sundays … the letters of support, seeing the fans away from here at a gas station or a grocery store or wherever you bump into them.”