I read something the other day talking about people who failed at first professionally and then found great success later in life.
One of those mentioned was Bill Belichick, who, after struggling in that same role with the Browns, has had a historic run as head coach of the New England Patriots. He’ll get to add to his resume when the Pats face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night in Super Bowl LI.
The story said Belichick “resigned in disgrace after an abysmal performance in Cleveland.”
Hmmm.
Wrong, and wrong.
First of all, Belichick didn’t resign. He was fired by Art Modell after the former Browns owner had promised him he’d be going to Baltimore when the franchise relocated there following the 1995 season.
Secondly, Belichick’s performance in Cleveland was not “abysmal.” Was it less than stellar? Yes, but certainly not abysmal.
Let’s take a look.
Belichick inherited a team that, after a great run through the last half of the 1980s, had gotten old all at once and plummeted to a then franchise-worst 3-13 record in 1990. His first Browns team in 1991 finished 6-10 – a three-win improvement – and was 6-7 at one point.
His 1992 and ’93 clubs were a little better, both finishing 7-9. The 1992 Browns were 4-3 at one point and then 7-6 and still in the playoff race before losing their last three for the second year in a row. In 1993, they were 5-2 at one point before collapsing.
The 1994 Browns went 11-5 and earned a wild-card playoff spot to make the postseason for the first time in five years. They also won a playoff game. They allowed just 204 points, setting a franchise record for a 16-game regular season.
In that final fatal season of 1995, the Browns, who were picked before the year by Sports Illustrated to make it to their first Super Bowl, started 3-1 and then stumbled to 4-4 at the midway point. But then Modell announced the team’s move and the Browns went 1-7 the rest of the way for a 5-11 finish. Throw out the last half of the season. There was no protocol for how to deal with that.
Belichick’s record with the Browns was 36-44 – 37-45 if the postseason is counted.
Again, not great, but not abysmal, either.
