In terms of entertainment, this one started off slow, it was the first scoreless first quarter since the 2019 Rams and Patriots matchup that ended in a 13-3 Patriots win. The second quarter things started to heat up with the 49ers taking a 10-3 lead heading into half. The third quarter brought us Patrick Mahomes doing Patrick Mahomes things taking a 13-10 lead behind a 28 yard touchdown throw to MVS.

The fourth quarter and overtime held a 12-12 combined score and the chiefs were crowned back to back champions. Super Bowl 58 definitely started off slow but was super entertaining so let’s take a look at some other all-time great Super Bowls to see how good it really was.

Super Bowl LI Patriots vs Falcons

Well when you talk famous Super Bowls this one has to be mentioned. 28-3, now a lead every NFL team fears because Tom Brady came back down twenty-five points to win it 34-28 in overtime. This was the GOAT’s 5th ring and the perfect ending to cap off a special season.

Super Bowl XLIX Patriots vs Seahawks

Every single one of these big super bowl games have a headline that everyone remembers them by: 28-3, Malcolm Butler, and a spoiler below, the Philly Special. This one was Malcolm Butler intercepting Wilson’s pass at the goal line to lose the game 28-24. One would argue a bigger moment in the game was Jermaine Kearse’s crazy catch to get the Seahawks to that moment. All in all, out of the other Super Bowls this one is the most memorable.

Super Bowl LII Eagles vs Patriots

From the Philly Special to the nearly 1,200 combined offensive yards, this offensive battle was one for the ages. What was thought to be an incredible defense led by Bill Belichick was dissected by fill in QB Nick Foles. Behind 373 passing yards, 4 total touchdowns and the main touchdown catch on a trick play to help the Eagles take a big 22-12 lead going into halftime. The 41-33 Super Bowl is thought to be the most offensive Super Bowl in modern history and was a relatively clean game with only 2 combined turnovers for each team.

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This coaching cycle was filled with big-time names and the candidate pool was large. There were some surprises along the way (see Ben Johnson) and some interesting hires. With that said, let’s break down each new coaching hire and offer grades for them.

Raheem Morris – Atlanta Falcons

It’s a full-circle moment for former Falcons interim head coach Raheem Morris. Morris spent 5 years in Atlanta and filled in as head coach when Dan Quinn was fired in 2020. He spent the last three years in Los Angeles as the defensive coordinator for the Rams. Morris was part of the Rams Super Bowl winning season in 2022.

No matter where he has been one thing is certain, the players love Morris. Over the years he has had several endorsements from players including this year when cornerback Jalen Ramsey praised the hire. The offensive staff will be key for Morris in Atlanta and the Falcons recently hired Zac Robinson to fill that role. Robinson worked with Morris in LA and was the quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator.

For Morris to have success in Atlanta it will come down to the quarterback position. The Falcons will likely look at the draft to address this but it appears Desmond Ridder‘s time in Atlanta is over. This is a solid hire for the Falcons as Morris is already familiar with the organization and we already know he will get the best out of his players.

Grade: B

Dave Canales – Carolina Panthers

One of the first coaches to be hired this offseason was former Buccaneers OC Dave Canales. Although raw, Canales was excellent in his role coordinating the Bucs offense. He also helped resurrect the career of quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mayfield is now likely to sign with the Tampa Bay long term thanks in large part to Canales.

In Carolina, Canales will look to do the same for former #1 pick Bryce Young. Young had a disappointing rookie season but due to the coaching turnover and turmoil, it’s tough to judge his on-field performances. Next year will be different for Young. Canales will work with his strengths and get the most out of his talent. If Young fails again then it won’t be on coaching more so his limitations.

For me, this is an underrated hire for the Panthers. They didn’t go after the big name but instead found the next great offensive mind. The only part I didn’t like about this hire was the 6-year contract. It’s likely that Panthers owner David Tepper needed to add the extra year to seal the deal.

Grade: B+

Antonio Pierce – Las Vegas Raiders

When Antonio Pierce took over for the fired Josh McDaniels he wasn’t given much of a chance to keep the job long-term. As the season went on though it became clear Pierce was an excellent leader and he led the Raiders to a 5-4 record down the stretch. That was good enough for 2nd in the AFC West and once the season ended it was up to ownership to make the move.

Like Raheem Morris, Pierce received several ringing endorsements for current Raiders players. None bigger than Maxx Crosby who essentially stated he would want to be traded if the Raiders didn’t bring on Pierce long term. Las Vegas ownership heard the chatter loud and clear and decided to bring on Pierce full-time.

This is another solid hire and I give credit to the Raiders leadership for listening to their players. Pierce is a natural leader and will get the most from his players. There are also indications that Las Vegas will bring in Kliff Kingsbury as their OC which is a smart move.

Grade: B+

Jim Harbaugh – Los Angeles Chargers

Perhaps the biggest name on the market this offseason was former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh had just won the National Championship and there were many indications that this was the year he would jump back to the NFL.

No matter where he’s been, Harbaugh has proven to be a winner. From Stanford to San Francisco and eventually at Michigan, Harbaugh has been successful at each stop. The former Chargers quarterback will now get a chance to coach one of the best young quarterbacks in the league Justin Herbert. Herbert still has untapped potential and Harbaugh will teach him how to be a winner.

To me, this is the best hire of this coaching cycle. Harbaugh and the Chargers are the perfect match and I expect them to compete for Super Bowls. The only downside is how long he will last in LA. Harbaugh has a tendency to not stick around long at any of his stops. If the Chargers can get a Super Bowl out of him it won’t matter in the end.

Grade: A

Jerod Mayo – New England Patriots

After it became clear Bill Belichick would not be back in New England owner Robert Kraft had a choice to make. He could either go out and find a fresh face in the coaching pool or stick with the Belichick tree and hire within. Kraft ultimately decided to hire within and promote Jerod Mayo to head coach.

Mayo spent the last 5 seasons in New England as the inside linebackers coach. Like Antonio Pierce, Mayo was praised by former Patriots players including Tom Brady who called him an excellent leader. At just 37, Mayo is still young and if he works out the Patriots will be set long term.

What’s interesting about the New England situation is that Mike Vrabel wasn’t considered. Vrabel seemed like the perfect successor to Belichick. For whatever reason the Patriots decided not to pursue him and it may come back to bite them. By all accounts, Mayo seems like a solid hire but I fear the Patriots will once again be looking for a new coach in just a of couple years.

Grade: C

Mike Macdonald – Seattle Seahawks

One of the hottest names of this coaching cycle was Ravens DC Mike Macdonald. He did wonders for Baltimore’s defense and shut down some of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL this year. Before his stop in Baltimore, Macdonald spent 1 year as defensive coordinator at Michigan.

Although only 36, Macdonald has also been praised for his leadership qualities. He will have big shoes to fill in Seattle taking over for Pete Carroll. The Seahawks have a bunch of young talented players on defense and solid pieces in place on offense. The question for Macdonald will be if he decides to keep Geno Smith.

In all, I am a fan of this hire for the Seahawks. Seattle targeted him early on and eventually got their man.

Grade: B+

Brian Callahan – Tennessee Titans

In Tennessee, it’s the end of the Vrabel era. This was perhaps the most surprising of the offseason firings. Although they had a down year the Titans were respectable with Vrabel at the helm. Former Bengals OC Brian Callahan will step in his place.

Callahan has been with Cincinnati since 2019 and helped to tutor quarterback Joe Burrow. He is somewhat of a quarterback whisperer as he was able to do wonders for Jake Browning who filled in for the injured Burrow this season. If the Titans decide to stick with Will Levis I expect to see a big improvement in his game.

I am somewhat neutral on this hire. It’s not flashy by any means but Callahan will come in and elevate the Titans offense. The big question is if he is a good leader as he will be replacing Vrabel who is known for his leadership.

Grade: B-

Dan Quinn – Washington Commanders

For Washington Commanders fans this offseason got off to a perfect start. The new ownership group led by Josh Harris was now fully in control and they took no time hiring new GM Adam Peters. Peters knows how to build NFL teams as he helped build the 49ers into a championship contender.

Many expected the next move for Peters and the Commanders was to hire Ben Johnson as their head coach. As we all know that didn’t happen as Johnson decided to stay in Detroit. We don’t really know what happened behind the scenes and perhaps Johnson was never their preferred choice but in the end, Washington decided to hire former Cowboys DC Dan Quinn.

Now Quinn was not the most popular candidate on the market but it’s hard to ignore what he has done for the Cowboys defense. Quinn completely turned around that side of the ball and will need to do the same for the Commanders. Like the other defensive coaches that were hired, Quinn will need to pick the right staff to run his offense. So the next few hires will be key.

By all accounts, Quinn seems like a great leader of men and should help change the culture in Washington. I am just not sure about the fit. I would’ve liked to see the Commanders go after a young offensive mind. Washington is going through a full rebuild and I think they should’ve gone outside of the box on this hire.

Grade: C+

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Buffalo Bills: This is the Bills team we all know and love. Josh Allen to Stefon Diggs and a defense that makes enough stops to keep the other team at bay. Miami had a chance to make a statement but they just couldn’t stop Allen.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Is this Baker Mayfield‘s resurgence with an NFL team. He has proven that he wants to stay and has the Bucs at an impressive 3-1 record.

San Francisco 49ers: 49ers are arguably the best coached team and have the best defense in the league. They also have Christian McCaffrey who ran for three touchdowns on Sunday. They face a tough Dallas D this weekend.

Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys D has been very formidable this year only second to the 49ers. Once there offense starts clicking, which starts with Prescott, they will be tough to beat.

Stock Down

New York Giants: Brian Daboll might be on the hot seat already. After a very good 2022 season where he took them to the playoffs, they look the complete opposite this year. Daniel Jones is struggling and not having Barkley in the backfield definitely hurts.

New England Patriots: What is wrong with the Patriots? Mac Jones is struggling and their defense is doing much better. This is Bill Belichick’s biggest challenge so far. Right now there is no way they make the playoffs.

Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals were favored to go to the Super Bowl if not win it this year. Something is wrong and it starts with Joe Burrow. There offense has been non-extinct. They also are not a playoff team with the Bills and Chiefs surging ahead. If the Bengals don’t turn it around with a W this weekend, it could be a long season.

Chicago Bears: Matt Eberflus is clearly not the answer at coach. He had some questionable calls on Sunday. Justin Fields hasn’t looked himself which is why I have them trending down.

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The Good

Coming out of Oklahoma, running back Rhamondre Stevenson was pegged as merely an in between the tackles type of back. It didn’t take long to realize Stevenson is not just a bruiser, he has the speed to bounce outside and take it to the house. Not only that he has also shown great hands during his 2-year career. This was on full display last season when you caught a one-handed touchdown from Mac Jones. In all Stevenson had 69 receptions last year which shows he can be an all-purpose back.

To further bolster their backfield the Patriots decided to bring in veteran Ezekiel Elliott this offseason. Elliott is still only 28 years old and I like the 1-2 punch he can offer along with Stevenson. There is no debate that Stevenson is the lead back but Elliott will play a vital role in making sure Stevenson is not overworked. Keeping Stevenson fresh is important on this offense that has limited weapons.

The Bad

Instead of moving up in the 2023 NFL Draft to potentially draft a quarterback the Patriots decided to trade down. They did receive a 4th round pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers in return but I don’t think it was the right move. At this point in his career, we have a good idea of what Mac Jones is. He can be a serviceable NFL quarterback but he is not a game-changer or someone defenses fear. Jones will likely be out after this year and New England will be once again shopping for a QB.

The Prediction

How much longer will Bill Belichick stick around with the Patriots? I fear this will be another challenging season for New England which will lead to more retirement speculation next offseason.

2023 Record: 7-10 (4th in the Division)

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10. John Madden: More Than a Game

John Madden, the legendary icon had arguably the largest impact on the NFL than any coach in history. Not only did he boast a stout .759 winning percentage he also was a legend in the broadcast booth. On top of his accolades, many in today’s world recognize him as the face of the most popular football video game. Make no mistake, John Madden’s impact has him worthy of making this list.

• Career Winning Percentage: .759

9. Bill Parcells: The Big Tuna’s Impact 

Bill Parcells, known as “The Big Tuna,” left a long-lasting impact on multiple franchises during his coaching career. With two Super Bowl victories and a reputation for turning struggling teams into contenders, Parcells’ emphasis on building a strong foundation and maximizing player potential solidified his status as a coaching legend. 

• Career Winning Percentage: .569

8. Joe Gibbs: Three Super Bowl Triumphs 

Joe Gibbs, the esteemed head coach of the Washington Redskins, guided his team to three Super Bowl victories. Gibbs had the ability to adapt to different personnel while he emphasized strong team unity. There was no one more loyal to his franchise than Gibbs. He went on to coach the team for a second stint from 2004-2007.

• Career Winning Percentage: .621

7. Tom Landry: The Mastermind of the Flex Defense 

Tom Landry, the legendary coach of the Dallas Cowboys, revolutionized defensive strategy with the introduction of the Flex Defense. He also created the 4-3 defense which has become a standard in today’s NFL. Landry’s innovative formations and calm demeanor on the sidelines made him one of the most respected figures in the game. 

• Career Winning Percentage: .607

6. Paul Brown: The Innovator

Paul Brown, an unparalleled innovator, left his mark on football as both a coach and an executive. Brown was the first Head Coach in history to study game film and test his players on the playbook. Brown’s groundbreaking contributions to the passing game, unwavering attention to detail, and emphasis on fundamentals paved the way for future generations of coaches.

• Career Winning Percentage: .672

5. Chuck Noll: The Builder of Dynasties 

Chuck Noll, the legendary coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, crafted a dynasty that dominated the NFL throughout the 1970s. Garnering four Super Bowl victories, Noll instilled a culture of resilience and discipline, while building one of the best dynasties in football history. Noll built his teams through the draft and insisted on developing his players. A system the Steelers continue to utilize to this day.

• Career Winning Percentage: .566

4. Bill Walsh: Architect of the West Coast Offense 

Bill Walsh, a true visionary, transformed the landscape of offensive football. As the mastermind behind the San Francisco 49ers, Walsh orchestrated three Super Bowl victories and popularized the West Coast Offense. This system is still used today by many NFL teams with great success.

• Career Winning Percentage: .609

3. Don Shula: The Epitome of Consistency 

Don Shula’s extraordinary career spanned over three decades while he left his imprint on the NFL. As the winningest coach in league history (328), Shula’s unwavering dedication to preparation and consistency propelled the Miami Dolphins to unprecedented success. The Dolphins are of course still the only team to complete a perfect season. 

• Career Winning Percentage: .677

2. Bill Belichick: The Maestro of Strategy 

Bill Belichick, the great mastermind behind the New England Patriots dynasty, is widely regarded as the greatest strategic genius in NFL history. Already the winner of a record six Super Bowl victories, Belichick’s meticulous game planning and attention to detail have solidified his status amongst the greats. Now the only question left on his illustrious resume is if he can win one without Tom Brady. 

• Career Winning Percentage: .662

1. Vince Lombardi: The Epitome of Excellence 

Vince Lombardi, the iconic coach of the Green Bay Packers, epitomized the essence of excellence in the NFL. He went on to capture five NFL Championships, including the first two Super Bowls. Lombardi’s unwavering commitment to discipline and work ethic laid the groundwork for future generations of coaches. Lombardi never had a losing season in his 10-year career. The Super Bowl trophy is named in his honor and rightfully so. Lombardi is still the greatest NFL Head Coach we have ever seen.

• Career Winning Percentage: .738

Looking for more all-time great lists? Check out our top 10 tight ends of all time feature.

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It’s definitely a huge pick up, and with the Jets having 7 wins last year, I would imagine they only go up from here. They have the flashy running back, the young receivers, the young fast defense and a bright young coach. This all seems great except one thing, they play in the AFC East. The Buffalo Bills will be the favorites especially with Josh Allen at the helm.

Their expectations are to not only win the East, but also win the Super bowl. The Dolphins have a track team, and as long as Tua Tagovailoa is healthy, they’ll be in the mix to win the division. Finally, the Patriots who might be the weakest team, but when you have Bill Belichick in charge you know they’ll bring their 100% effort every game. For the Jets, their expectations are to win the Super Bowl with Rodgers at QB. Could it happen? Yes it could happen but it won’t, at least not this year. Let’s not forget about the Kansas City Chiefs, and the other high quality AFC teams. The Rodgers window is closing, so let’s hope the team cliques and they come out firing.

Prediction for 2023/24 season – (10-7)

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Analytics involves the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data in order to make informed decisions. In the NFL, this data can come from a variety of sources, including player statistics, game film, and player tracking technology. By analyzing this data, teams can gain a deeper understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of their opponents.

The Benefits of Analytics in the NFL

Analytics can provide teams with a more comprehensive view of a player’s abilities and limitations. This can help teams to make more informed decisions when it comes to player scouting, drafting, and roster construction. For example, the Cleveland Browns used analytics to identify quarterback Baker Mayfield as a strong prospect in the 2018 NFL Draft. The Browns analytics team analyzed Mayfield’s college statistics and game film to determine that he had the arm talent, accuracy, and leadership qualities necessary to succeed in the NFL. Clearly in the long run this did not pan out for the Browns but they are still the leaders in the clubhouse when it comes to the use of analytics.

Another way teams can use analytics is to gain a deeper understanding of their opponents tendencies and strategies. This information can be used to develop game plans that take into account the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing team. The New England Patriots, for instance, are known for their meticulous game preparation. They are the best at this in the modern game today but do they use analytics in that process? Head Coach Bill Belichick has spoken out in the past about the use of analytics and that he prefers the old school approach. However the Patriots are known to use analytics in their scouting department when it comes to the draft and seem to be warming up to the trend.

By using analytics to identify areas for improvement, teams can more effectively allocate resources and make changes to their operations. This can lead to increased efficiency and a better overall performance. The Dallas Cowboys, use analytics to optimize their practice schedule and reduce the risk of player injury. By analyzing player workload and injury data, the Cowboys were able to make changes to their practice schedule that reduced the number of soft-tissue injuries suffered by players.

The world of NFL analytics is constantly evolving and teams should make use of the latest technology. Player tracking systems to collect data and gain a deeper understanding of the game have become commonplace. This data can be used to inform decisions and improve performance on the field. Most teams by now use the Zebra Sports player tracking system to collect data on player speed, acceleration, and other metrics. This information is used to inform game planning and player development decisions.

How Teams Can Use Analytics to Reach the Super Bowl

Analytics can provide teams with the information they need to make informed decisions on and off the field. This can range from player personnel decisions to play calling during games. The Los Angeles Rams used analytics to inform their play-calling during their Super Bowl run in 2018. The Rams analytics team along with the coaches identify the most effective plays and formations to use in different game situations. Head Coach Sean McVay admitted that analytics play an important role but to know the flow of the game and when to push buttons is just as important.

When it comes to the Kansas City Chiefs they also use analytics to inform their play-calling and game strategy. Like McVay, head coach Andy Reid still believes in the human element of the game and he has the ability to make the final call on the play in any situation. Still though these two teams have arguably been the most successful NFL teams recently and the fact that they embrace analytics is no surprise.

By now almost every NFL team has an analytics department in charge of using many data points to guide their football decisions. With the use of technology, analytics can be a very powerful tool to help propel teams to the Super Bowl. Those that fully accept analytics will have the upper hand on gameday and beyond.

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By: Brock Wells

In Bill Belichick’s long career as a head coach in the NFL, he’s had numerous apprentices who have not been able to live up to the standard he has set over the years. This has confused and perplexed many for years, as other “coaching trees” throughout the history of the league have fared significantly better. But contexts and situations aren’t the same across different generations, so what sense can actually be made from the relative shortcomings of Belichick’s apprentices?

Among Belichick’s apprentices are a number of coaches who have been involved with teams in the same division. Eric Mangini and Al Groh both coached for the Jets. Brian Flores and Nick Saban both coached for the Dolphins.

Head coaching records with these teams:

• Mangini: 23-25 (0-1 postseason)
• Groh: 9-7
• Flores: 24-25
• Saban: 15-17

A couple of important caveats here. Flores deserves credit for helping to develop the groundwork for the success the Miami Dolphins are having this season. Saban, although not successful in the NFL, is one of the greatest coaches in the history of college football. But Mangini’s one measly postseason game appearance and Groh’s one season as a head coach don’t bode well for Belichick’s tree.

Other coaches in this tree are Romeo Crennel, Josh McDaniels, Matt Patricia, Joe Judge, and Bill O’Brien. Of these coaches, O’Brien has had the most success. Arguably, with a case to be made for Gary Kubiak, his tenure provided the best moments in the history of the Houston Texans franchise.

• O’Brien: 52-48 (2-4 postseason)

O’Brien taking a franchise like the Texans to the postseason on multiple occasions speaks to something, but the failures of the others to get much of anything accomplished is definitely not a good look. But how strange is it, really? Vince Lombardi, George Halas, and Hank Stram all had apprentices that weren’t nearly as successful as they were. None of Belichick’s apprentices had the infrastructure he had around him, nor did they have the revolving door of capable players at all positions he built.

What’s interesting to look at is the time O’Brien and Crennel spent together in Houston. This is perhaps the best example of Belichick’s apprentices’ success, as O’Brien and Crennel worked together to create multiple winning seasons for what has largely been a poverty franchise. With O’Brien as head coach and Crennel as defensive coordinator, the Texans made the playoffs three times in four seasons.

Belichick being a defensive-minded coach, it would make sense that this would be the greatest testament to his coaching tree. Plenty of coaches in the tree have struggled without the same environmental advantages. Plenty of them were never meant to be head coaches at all. But that isn’t necessarily unique to Belichick’s coaching tree.

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By: Brock Wells

Bill Belichick has a chance against the Chicago Bears on Sunday to become the second-winningest coach in NFL history, breaking a tie he currently holds with legendary Bears coach George Halas. At that point, only Don Shula would be ahead of him. But Shula has just three NFL championships as a head coach to Belichick’s six, so how does one weigh one resumé against the other?

It’s essential to keep in mind when considering who is the greatest fill-in-the-blank of all time that raw numbers in and of themselves are difficult to draw meaning from. Numbers don’t lie, but they do need to be properly contextualized in order to have their significance grasped. Neither Halas nor Shula patrolled over a dynasty as consistent in its command as Belichick has. Halas’s teams were in the NFL championship game on numerous occasions, but they failed to meet .500 on several occasions as well.

During the near-20-year run of the New England Patriots’ dynasty, the team never had a losing record, and only won less than ten games once. Shula’s teams weren’t as consistently dominant, with periods where the team would finish with less than ten wins with regularity beginning in the mid-”˜80s. Between 2000 and 2019, Belichick’s teams finished lower than second in their division just once, in 2000, Belichick’s first season as head coach of the team.

The question of winning percentage is also interesting to consider. What are we to make of coaches, like John Madden and George Allen, who had a higher all-time winning percentage than Belichick but far less postseason success? The length of time these coaches were at the helm is also relevant here.

All-time winning percentages:

• Bill Belichick – .673
• George Halas – .682
• Don Shula – .677
• George Allen – .712
• John Madden – .759
• Vince Lombardi – .738
• Tom Landry – .601

Years as a head coach:

• Bill Belichick – 28
• George Halas – 40
• Don Shula – 33
• George Allen – 12
• John Madden – 10
• Vince Lombardi – 10
• Tom Landry – 29

This ultimately comes down to being able to make sense of all these different numbers. What is the significance of a peak of team performance against longevity? Halas coached 40 years and Madden coached 10. But for Belichick, longevity has meant continued success. Even in the non-Tom Brady years, the Patriots have remained relevant, though not dominant, in the NFL landscape. That’s because Brady wasn’t the franchise. Belichick built teams with an unbelievable amount of ability that sustained for almost two decades consecutively. It’s difficult to say he isn’t the greatest head coach in NFL history for that reason.

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By: Jeremy Trottier

The New England Patriots over the last two decades have been revered for two people, those being now Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick.  With head coaching becoming more and more notable by the day and being the primary focus of if a team succeeds or not, we now have the chance to look back into history.  In this article, I will be ranking the top 3 Patriots head coaches of all time and explaining why they are ranked in that spot.  So without further ado, let’s start off with the obvious:

#1: Bill Belichick ”“ 2000 ”“ present

This is about as easy as it gets in ranking any position or coaching group.  There is an immediate and clear-cut answer, and we all know why.  Some may argue Bill just got lucky by drafting Brady, and that his coaching skill is lackluster.  That is all but the truth, as the teams he was coaching were never necessarily the big-name players outside a few exceptions, I mean a 7th-round quarterback was their WR1 for the latter half of their dominance, that being Julian Edelman.  Belichick was able to take Tom Brady, put anyone around him, and just work with the strengths of Brady until they won the championship each and every year.  Many will want to doubt his greatness and find ways to dampen his accomplishments, even I do from time to time, but it is not arguable that he is one of, if not the best head coach of all time.  The list of accolades goes on and on:

• 6x Super Bowl winner
• 3x coach of the year
• 2000s & 2010s all-decade team
• Executive of the year
• Most Super Bowl wins, Super Bowl appearances, playoff wins, and divisional championships as a head coach ever
• 291-146 head coaching record (.666)
• 31-13 in the postseason (.705)

If there is an accolade a head coach can achieve, Bill has it, and frankly he will probably continue to be the Patriots’ head coach for years to come. 

#2: Bill Parcells ”“ 1993-1996

Bill Parcells is widely regarded as one of the best head coaches of all time, yet many forget his stint in New England compared to his time with the New York Giants and as an executive later on.  His record may not show his strengths, going 32-32 in his time with the Patriots, but his accolades do.  Parcells turned the Patriots around from a team who had not been to a playoff game in 8 years to a team that was competing for a Super Bowl in the span of 2 seasons. 

In his first season with New England, Parcells struggled, coaching the team to 5-11 and 4^th in a division of 5 at the time.  However his 1994 campaign is his most notable, with Drew Bledsoe now steering the ship at QB, Parcells led New England to a 10-6 record, and their first playoff game in 8 seasons.  He also won coach of the year by 4 different standards (NFL, AP poll, Pro Football Weekly, Maxwell Football Club) which are the primary companies that have opinions on this debate.  Parcells would have another tough season in 1995 going 6-10 as Drew Bledsoe missed time, and then 1996 happened.  11-5, first in the division, a Super Bowl appearance for the first time in 11 years, and the 2^nd time in team history.  This was primarily a coaching endeavor as well, as Bledsoe struggled that season throwing 15 interceptions to accompany his 27 touchdowns, only had a Quarterback Efficiency Rating of 83.7 (QBR was not measured at this time) and a sub-60% completion percentage at 59.9%.  Overall, Parcells should be revered for kickstarting the Patriots’ era of winning. 

#3: Raymond Berry ”“ 1984-1989

Finally, we have Raymond Berry, who was essentially “that guy” for the Patriots before Parcells and Belichick came along.  Berry was widely renowned for his playing career, but he also coached 87 games for the Patriots later on.  87 games are the 3^rd most in New England history, and he also coached the 2^nd most playoff games for them at 5 and won the 2^nd most for New England with 3.  His most notable moment was bringing the Patriots to their first AFC Championship and Super Bowl in the 1985-1986 season, as well as a 48-39 overall record with the team.  Even though he never won a Super Bowl or a head coach of the year award with New England, he was a quality coach who had a lot of the firsts for the Patriots. 

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