All good things must come to an end -- even historic 24-year runs. After 17 division titles, nine conference championships and six Super Bowl rings together, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots announced their mutual decision to part ways on Thursday.
Belichick's 24-season tenure in Foxborough was the fifth longest of any head coach with one team. The prolific coach amassed 296 victories (including playoffs) during his time at the Patriots' helm.
While New England will be in the market for a new head coach for the first time in a quarter century, Belichick is expected to continue coaching elsewhere in the league. There are currently seven NFL teams that have head-coaching vacancies to fill.
"I'll always be a Patriot. ... At this time, we're gonna move on and I look forward and I'm excited for the future."
— ESPN (@espn) January 11, 2024
Bill Belichick on mutually agreeing to part ways with the Patriots. pic.twitter.com/qUywPBzAsc
From Tom Brady to LeBron James, here's how the sports world reacted to the arbiter of cutoff hoodies departing the Patriots' sideline:
Former players
Wouldn't change a thing coach #FoxboroForever pic.twitter.com/pelLmjkLko
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) January 11, 2024
Greatest ever. Thank you for everything. Me, my family, my son. Shaping me into a football player and a man. Love you pic.twitter.com/6kuk5xALtd
— Patrick Chung (@PatrickChung23) January 11, 2024
That's about all I did lol. Congrats on being one of the greatest ever Coach! https://t.co/tfXsBWxjeu
— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) January 11, 2024
You're the best, coach Belichick! Congrats on an amazing run and thanks for all you did for me. pic.twitter.com/cuUBEaVZYN
— Matt Cassel (@M_Cassel16) January 11, 2024
Though brief, I won't forget the time under your professional tutelage Bill Belichick.
— Calvin Anderson (@THE_CONDA25) January 11, 2024
Brought me back in free agency. First to call me when getting out of the hospital both times this year. I consider it an honor.
2024 season I will prove you right.
Thank you legend.
You took a chance on me and it paid off for both of us. Forever grateful for that. Gonna be weird seein you in a different outfit but somebody gonna get them a great coach with the best brains in the game. Bitter sweet but all great things come to an end. Hats off to the goat. pic.twitter.com/Lwo2bJ9DUa
— Jamie Collins (@JamieLee601) January 11, 2024
— Kendrick Bourne Poly (@BournePoly11) January 11, 2024
This is even more special for me now.
— MWS (@MackWilSr) January 11, 2024
Coach BB I appreciate you for everything my dude. You been atop the game since I was 2.
This is surreal for me. I'm just grateful I was able to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity under another 🐐.
- 3 ❤️
Thank you 🙏🏾 https://t.co/5uHSXQXsQm
Forever thankful to Coach Belichick for the shot that launched my NFL career and for instilling a winning mindset that made us the best-prepared team every game. His football legacy is unmatched. A heartfelt thanks, Coach, and wishing you success in all that comes next.@nfl... pic.twitter.com/gITbe1sbGn
— Jonas Gray (@JonasLGray) January 11, 2024
Thank you Coach Belichick for everything you have done! From taking a chance drafting me in the very beginning to teaching and showing me the way on the field, I wouldn't change a thing! Honor to be on your team and thank you for putting us players in situations to have serious... pic.twitter.com/m5NYkW4Kwt
— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) January 11, 2024
Sports world
Coach Belichick is such a LEGEND!!!! 🫡 man
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 11, 2024
The Brady-Belichick era was special. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/tvrA9qWAAY
— NFL (@NFL) January 11, 2024
Thank you for a historic 24 years and setting a new standard of excellence for New England. pic.twitter.com/Wk36dQD5Gu
— Red Sox (@RedSox) January 11, 2024
24 incredible years.
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) January 11, 2024
Good luck, Coach Belichick, and thank you for always being a friend of the B's! pic.twitter.com/Qwx4aQ23ms
Legend 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 11, 2024
Thank you for everything you've done in Boston, Bill 👏 pic.twitter.com/dIwyBCXimR
New England Patriots
"Coach Belichick will forever be celebrated as a legendary sports icon here in New England." pic.twitter.com/gF92egyWU9
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 11, 2024
Thank you, Coach Belichick. pic.twitter.com/N13NSSbeon
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 11, 2024
