Is Bill Belichick the best head coach in NFL history?
That’s up to debate, particularly in Cleveland, where he started his head coaching career 25 years ago, and particularly now, as he gets set to bring his New England Patriots to FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday to face the Browns.
But this much we know: If he isn’t the very best, then he’s certainly in the conversation, and he’s unquestionably the best coach of his era after having won four Super Bowls since 2001, his second season with the Patriots.
So why couldn’t Belichick, who had just one winning record and one playoff appearance (both in 1994) in five seasons with the Browns, have done in Cleveland what he has done – and is still doing – in Foxbrough?
Because he had to go through that learning process, and Cleveland just happened to be the guinea pig site for it.
Belichick had to learn to delegate responsibility instead of trying to do everything himself.
He had to learn to value character over talent.
He had to learn to be at least a little friendlier with media members so they wouldn’t do everything they could to get revenge.
And he had to grow and mature – to learn lessons.
Indeed, the Bill Belichick in Cleveland was so different from the one in New England.
When the original Browns left Cleveland for Baltimore and everybody was blaming Art Modell and Belichick, I distinctly remember writing that Belichick would never get another head coaching job.
Yeah, sometimes those of us in the media have absolutely no idea what we’re talking about.
I knew Belichick had the football acumen – that was obvious – but I never dreamed he would make the necessary changes in other areas. I thought he was too stubborn to do so.
I was so wrong. Many other people were, too.
I wonder if he’ll be thinking about any of that when he comes to town this weekend?
Belichick would say no, but I would say yes.
I think I’m right this time.
After all, ya gotta be right once in a while.
Where else are you going to see someone in the media admitting that, huh?
