Bill Belichick is out as head coach of the New England Patriots after 24 years and leading the team to nine Super Bowl trips and six rings.
The veteran coach took to the podium on Thursday and told members of the press he would be a Patriot forever as he thanked the fans and the organization, ESPN reported.
“[Patriots owner] Robert [Kraft] and I, after a series of discussions, have mutually agreed to part ways,” Belichick said. “For me, this is a day of gratitude and celebration.”
“We had a vision of building a championship football team that has exceeded my wildest dreams and expectations,” he added. “I’m very proud of that. I’ll always have those great memories, I’ll carry those with me the rest of my life.”
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“It’s with so many fond memories and thoughts that I think about the Patriots, and I’ll always be a Patriot,” Belichick continued. “I look forward to coming back here, but at this time, we’re going to move on. And I’m excited for the future.”
Kraft followed Belichick at the press conference and said, “This is a move that we mutually agreed that is needed at this time. What Bill accomplished, in my opinion, will never be duplicated.”
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“Coach Belichick will forever be celebrated as a legendary sports icon here in New England, and I believe go in as a Pro Football Hall of Famer on the first ballot,” Kraft added. “Why? Because he is the greatest coach of all time. Which makes this decision to part ways so hard.”
Belichick will undoubtedly be in the NFL Hall of Fame for the incredible run he had in New England, which includes six Super Bowl titles, 333 career victories (including playoffs), second only to Don Shula’s 347, and nine conference championships, the most by a head coach in the Super Bowl era.
Speculation that Belichick’s reign in New England would end has been trickling out all week as reports surfaced that the coach and Kraft had met several times throughout the week.
Belichick leaves the team after a dismal season as New England finished with a 4-13 record. Since the Super Bowl-winning QB Tom Brady left the Patriots after the 2019 season, the Patriots have had a losing record three of the last four years, ESPN noted.