The longtime coach of record-breaking NFL team, Bill Belichick, said his final goodbyes to the New England Patriots franchise, marking the end of the most successful coaching tenure in NFL history, before making new history.
Belichick took his previously unfancied Massachusetts-based team to six Super Bowl victories, with the longtime Patriots coach holding the record for most Super Bowl wins, as well as appearances by a head coach. He also holds the record for the most conference and division titles - all of which came during his 24-year tenure with the team, the fifth longest coaching tenure in NFL history.
Belichick, 71, said: “This is a day of gratitude and celebration. I look forward to coming back here," Belichick said, adding, “I’ll always have those great memories and I’ll always be a Patriot at heart for the rest of my life.”
Patriots owner, Robert Kraft, added: "What Bill accomplished will never be duplicated and his departure represents the end of an era for the Patriots. One that will hopefully always be celebrated here.” They have subsequently promoted linebackers coach, Jerod Mayo, to replace the legend, making the 37-year-old, himself a former Patriots linebacker, the first Black head coach in the franchise's history – and the NFL's youngest head coach to-boot.
"I'm prepared and I feel like I'm ready,” Mayo (pic) said, “and I’m looking forward to the opportunity." Belichick was Patriots’ head coach throughout their dynasty in the 2000s, where - between 2001 and 2019, they played in nine Super Bowls - the most of any franchise - winning 17 division titles, making 13 AFC Championship Game appearances and the only undefeated 16-game regular season in 2007.
His departure comes nearly four years after his record-breaking quarterback Tom Brady left the team and joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he won one more Super Bowl title in 2021. The historic duo led New England to six championships over 19 years.
Tom is treading a new path, and is now co-owner of English Football League club, Birmingham City F.C. Mayo, who played eight seasons for the Patriots, is a month younger than Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay, who was until now, the youngest coach in the NFL.
