Bill Belichick's Coaching Tree
Bill Belichick is the greatest living football coach. In the NFL’s age of attempted parity, Belichick’s run of success is unprecedented. He’s one of just four living coaches to guide the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs and led New England out of the football wilderness to nine Super Bowls, six championships and an incomprehensible 13 conference championship game appearances since taking the helm in 2000.
One might think that Belichick’s success, and the Patriot Way, might spawn the next generation of NFL coaching talent. But that has been less predictable.
Here’s a look at the coaches who have followed in Belichick’s footsteps as part of his coaching tree and how they have fared outside Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Note: Stats are through Nov. 17, 2020.
The Patriarch: Bill Parcells
Head coaching experience: New York Giants (1983-90), New England Patriots (1993-96), New York Jets (1997-99), Dallas Cowboys (2003-06)
Tenure with Belichick: New York Giants (1983-91), New England Patriots (1996), New York Jets (1997-99)
Bottom Line: Bill Parcells
The story: Belichick’s NFL coaching career started as a ball boy with the Baltimore Colts under Ted Marchibroda in 1975, but it was as Bill Parcells' defensive coordinator that Belichick emerged as a household name.
Together, Bill and Bill won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants, including a stunning 20-19 upset of the heavily favored Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXV.
They made another Super Bowl appearance with the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI and then worked together for a few seasons with the New York Jets. In fact, Belichick was hired to take over as Jets head coach after Parcells resigned. Then Belichick quit after one day and became the Patriots' head coach.
Their story was the subject of the 2018 ESPN documentary "The Two Bills."
Nick Saban
Head coaching experience: Toledo University (1990), Michigan State University (1995-99), Louisiana State University (1999-2005), Miami Dolphins (2005-06), University of Alabama (2007-present)
Tenure with Belichick: Cleveland Browns (1991-94)
Nick Saban Backstory
The story: Nick Saban has become arguably the greatest college football coach ever, winning more than 240 games and six national championships as of 2019, but he cut his proverbial teeth during his four years as Belichick’s defensive coordinator with the Browns, helping them reach the playoffs in 1993.
Cleveland may have had a surplus of coaching geniuses, but Belichick and Saban didn’t exactly coexist. Saban was let go when the Browns moved to Baltimore after the 1994 NFL season and told CBS in 2014 that his four years with Belichick were "the worst of his life."
And that may have been a compliment.
Bottom Line: Nick Saban
Final assessment: Success story
Pat Hill
Head coaching experience: Fresno State University (1997-2011)
Tenure with Belichick: Cleveland Browns (1992-94)
Pat Hill Backstory
The story: Pat Hill was Belichick’s offensive line coach with the Browns, and one of the few surviving members of their staff when the franchise moved from Cleveland to Baltimore in 1995.
Hill took the head coaching role at Fresno State in 1997, where he put the football program in California's San Joaquin Valley on the map.
He became renowned for his program’s willingness to play any opponent anywhere and was largely successful, winning 17 games against Power 5 opposition and developing quarterback David Carr, the first pick of the 2002 NFL draft.
In 15 seasons as Fresno State head coach, he led the team to a 112-80 record and 11 bowl appearances.
Bottom Line: Pat Hill
Final assessment: Success story
Kirk Ferentz
Head coaching experience: University of Maine (1990-92), University of Iowa (1999-present)
Tenure with Belichick: Cleveland Browns (1993-94)
Kirk Ferentz Backstory
The story: Kirk Ferentz was a popular name for NFL openings in the early 2000s, mostly because of his pedigree earned as Belichick’s offensive line coach with the Browns in the mid-1990s.
Ferentz started under Iowa coach Hayden Fry as offensive line coach with the Hawkeyes in the 1980s, then replaced Fry as head coach in 1999, developing his own impressive program through 20-plus seasons in Iowa City.
The Hawkeyes have compiled a .609 winning percentage (162 wins, 104 losses), won two Big Ten championships and have played in 17 bowl games (going 9-8), and Iowa is one of the conference’s most consistent teams year in and year out.
Bottom Line: Kirk Ferentz
Final assessment: Success story
Bill O’Brien
Head coaching experience: Penn State University (2012-14), Houston Texans (2015-20)
Tenure with Belichick: New England Patriots (2007-11)
Bill O'Brien Backstory
The story: Before 2020, Bill O'Brien had a winning reputation. Throw out a 4-12 season with the Houston Texans in 2017 and a string of nine straight losses spanning two seasons (2017 to 2018), and O'Brien had won wherever he’d been, largely under uncertain circumstances.
O’Brien rose through the ranks under Belichick, starting as running backs coach and graduating to offensive coordinator from 2009 to 2011. From there, he took over as head coach of Penn State, replacing Joe Paterno, going 15-9 in two seasons even though the Nittany Lions were serving severe NCAA penalties.
O'Brien returned to the NFL as Texans head coach in 2014. With the Texans, O’Brien won four AFC South titles. The student lost to his mentor 34-16 in the AFC divisional playoff game in 2016, but O'Brien redeemed himself in 2019, and the Texans beat the Patriots 28-22 during a regular-season game in December.
Then, the wheels fell off in Houston, and the Texans fired O'Brien in 2020. But many football people expect O'Brien to get another coaching shot somewhere.
Bottom Line: Bill O'Brien
Final assessment: Possible success story
Romeo Crennel
Head coaching experience: Cleveland Browns (2005-08), Kansas City Chiefs (2011-12), Houston Texans (2020-present)
Tenure with Belichick: New York Giants (1983-90), New England Patriots (1995-96/2001-04), New York Jets (1997-99)
Romeo Crennel Backstory
The story: Romeo Crennel was with Belichick from the Giants days and served as a defensive assistant to Parcells and Belichick with the Patriots and Jets.
Crennel then was Belichick’s defensive coordinator in New England in the early 2000s, co-authoring a defensive masterpiece in the Patriots' shocking upset against the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI — the first of their three titles in four years together.
Like Belichick, Crennel got his start as a head coach with the Browns, where he went 24-40 and did not make the playoffs in five seasons.
Crennel got another shot in Kansas City when he replaced Todd Haley, who was fired midseason in 2011, but went just 4-15 with the Chiefs and was fired after the 2012 season.
He joined the Texans as defensive coordinator in 2014 and was an assistant coach on their staff until becoming Houston's interim head coach in 2020 after Bill O'Brien got fired.
Bottom Line: Romeo Crennel
Final assessment: Not great
Charlie Weis
Head coaching experience: University of Notre Dame (2005-09), University of Kansas (2012-14)
Tenure with Belichick: New York Giants (1990), New York Jets (1997-99), New England Patriots (2000-2004)
Charlie Weis Backstory
The story: Like Crennel, Charlie Weis spent several years alongside Belichick, but on the offensive side of the ball.
Weis was largely credited with turning the Patriots' offensive fortunes around with Tom Brady, helping New England claim three titles in four seasons as the Patriots offensive coordinator.
Weis took over for Tyrone Willingham at Notre Dame and guided the Fighting Irish to two BCS bowl games in his first two seasons. But Weis went 16-21 in his final three seasons in South Bend and was fired.
He then went 6-22 in three seasons as head coach at the University of Kansas, winning just one Big 12 conference game in that span.
Bottom Line: Charlie Weis
Final assessment: Not great
Eric Mangini
Head coaching experience: New York Jets (2006-08), Cleveland Browns (2009-11)
Tenure with Belichick: New York Jets (1997-99), New England Patriots (2000-05)
Eric Mangini Backstory
The story: Eric Mangini's coaching career began on a similar path to Belichick. Mangini started as a ball boy, catching his mentor’s eye in New England, and also coached the Jets and Browns. But that’s where the similarities end.
Belichick once famously locked Mangini out of the Patriots' facility after he interviewed for the Jets' head coaching vacancy, and the Browns quit on him during his final season in Cleveland.
After a 10-6 opening season in New York, highlighted by a regular-season win against Belichick and the Patriots, Mangini went 23-41 in his final five seasons as an NFL coach.
Bottom Line: Eric Mangini
Final assessment: Not great
Josh McDaniels
Head coaching experience: Denver Broncos (2009-10)
Tenure with Belichick: New England Patriots (2001-08, 2012-present)
The story: Josh McDaniels grew from personnel assistant to offensive coordinator of the Patriots under Belichick, and he won three Super Bowls — though none as a New England assistant.
McDaniels left to take the Denver Broncos head coaching position, where he posted a 11-20 record and was fired midseason under controversial circumstances.
He rejoined the Patriots as offensive coordinator in 2012, winning two more Super Bowls.
After the 2018 season, McDaniels reportedly agreed to become head coach of the Indianapolis Colts — before spurning them to remain Belichick’s right-hand man — and he could be the heir apparent whenever Belichick retires from the Patriots.
Final assessment: Not great
Josh McDaniels Backstory
The story: Josh McDaniels grew from personnel assistant to offensive coordinator of the Patriots under Belichick, and he won three Super Bowls — though none as a New England assistant.
McDaniels left to take the Denver Broncos head coaching position, where he posted a 11-20 record and was fired midseason under controversial circumstances.
He rejoined the Patriots as offensive coordinator in 2012, winning three more Super Bowls.
After the 2018 season, McDaniels reportedly agreed to become head coach of the Indianapolis Colts — before spurning them to remain Belichick’s right-hand man — and he could be the heir apparent whenever Belichick retires from the Patriots.
Bottom Line: Josh McDaniels
Final assessment: Not great
Al Groh
Head coaching experience: Wake Forest University (1981-86), New York Jets (2000), University of Virginia (2001-09)
Tenure with Belichick: New York Giants (1989-90), Cleveland Browns (1992), New England Patriots (1996), New York Jets (1997-99)
The story: Al Groh was Belichick’s successor with the Jets after he spurned them to join New England, but Groh's 9-7 season in 2000 has fallen deep into the annals of time.
Before that, Groh was an assistant coach alongside Belichick under Parcells for years.
He finally stepped out of their shadow during his nine-season tenure at the University of Virginia. Groh brought a pro pedigree, yet never won more than nine games in Charlottesville and was fired after a 3-9 season in 2009.
Final assessment: Not great
Al Groh Backstory
The story: Al Groh was Bill Belichick’s successor with the Jets after Belichick spurned them to join New England, but Groh's 9-7 season in 2000 has fallen deep into the annals of time.
Before that, Groh was an assistant coach alongside Belichick under Parcells for years.
He finally stepped out of their shadow during his nine-season tenure at the University of Virginia. Groh brought a pro pedigree, yet never won more than nine games in Charlottesville and was fired after a 3-9 season in 2009.
Bottom Line: Al Groh
Final assessment: Not great
Matt Patricia
Head coaching experience: Detroit Lions (2018-present)
Tenure with Belichick: New England Patriots (2004-17)
Matt Patricia Backstory
The story: Matt Patricia became one of the hottest coaching names while winning two Super Bowl championships as Belichick’s defensive coordinator in New England.
He spurned a slew of opportunities to take over a team of his own, then accepted the Detroit Lions head coaching position on Feb. 5, 2018, after the Patriots lost Super Bowl LII to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Patricia won his first NFL game with the Lions against Belichick and the Patriots on Sept. 23, 2018, but he finished his rookie head coaching season in Detroit with a 6-10 record.
Year 2 was even worse as the Lions finished 3-12-1, and now Patricia is out of excuses and on the clock to win.
Bottom Line: Matt Patricia
Final assessment: So far, not great
Mike Vrabel
Head coaching experience: Tennessee Titans (2018-present)
Tenure with Belichick: New England Patriots (2001-08 as a player)
The story: Mike Vrabel was an integral part of Belichick’s defense as the middle linebacker for three Super Bowl-winning teams in New England, and even caught two touchdowns from Tom Brady in Super Bowl XXXVIII and XXXIX.
Like Patricia, Vrabel also was able to pick up a win against the Patriots in his first head-to-head meeting with Belichick, when the Titans knocked off New England 34-10 on Nov. 11, 2018.
Vrabel went 9-7 in his first year as Tennessee head coach but missed the playoffs with a loss to the Indianapolis Colts on the last day of the season.
Final assessment: Jury’s out
Mike Vrabel Backstory
The story: Mike Vrabel was an integral part of Belichick’s defense as the middle linebacker for three Super Bowl-winning teams in New England, and even caught two touchdowns from Tom Brady in Super Bowl XXXVIII and XXXIX.
Like Patricia, Vrabel also was able to pick up a win against the Patriots in his first head-to-head meeting with Belichick, when the Titans knocked off New England 34-10 on Nov. 11, 2018.
Vrabel went 9-7 in his first year as Tennessee head coach but missed the playoffs with a loss to the Indianapolis Colts on the last day of the season. Vrabel also went 9-7 in his second year as Titans coach.
Then, his team upset the Patriots in the wild-card game on the road, giving New England its earliest postseason exit since a wild-card loss to the Ravens in 2010.
Bottom Line: Mike Vrabel
Final assessment: So far, not bad
Brian Flores
Head coaching experience: Miami Dolphins (2019-present)
Tenure with Belichick: New England Patriots (2004-18)
Brian Flores Backstory
The story: Brian Flores is no stranger to hard work and trusting the process.
He started as a scouting assistant with the Patriots in 2004 after playing four years as a linebacker at Boston College. Over 14 years in New England, he worked as a special teams assistant, defensive assistant, safeties coach and linebackers coach and won four Super Bowls with the Patriots.
The Dolphins hired him to be their head coach in 2019. Flores went 5-11 in his rookie campaign in Miami and ended the year with three wins in December, including an upset over the Patriots in Foxborough on the last day of the season.
Bottom Line: Brian Flores
Final assessment: Jury's out
Joe Judge
Head coaching experience: New York Giants (2020-present)
Tenure with Belichick: New England Patriots (2012-19)
Joe Judge Backstory
The story: Joe Judge's football journey brought him to Foxborough in 2012, and he joined the Patriots as a special teams assistant after spending three seasons in the same role at Alabama on Nick Saban's staff.
In New England, Judge worked his way up to special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach on Bill Belichick's staff. In 2020, he got his own opportunity to lead an NFL team after being named New York Giants head coach at age 38.
It was a bold move for the G-Men and a big opportunity for Judge.
Bottom Line: Joe Judge
Final assessment: Jury's out
The Chief: Bill Belichick
Head coaching experience: Cleveland Browns (1991-95), New England Patriots (2000-present)
Regular-season record: 277-132 (.677)
Postseason record: 31-12 (.721)
Super Bowl wins: 6
Bill Belichick Backstory
The story: They call it the Patriot Way for a reason. Belichick has compiled a .733 winning percentage (241-88) over 21 seasons as New England Patriots head coach and helped bring six Lombardi Trophies to Foxborough.
All of his coaching disciples have witnessed greatness at work. But turning those leadership lessons into wins has proved challenging.
Nevertheless, don't count any of them out. They learned from the best.
Bottom Line: Bill Belichick
Final assessment: One (or more) of his former coaches/players still could do their job and become an NFL success story as a head coach.