Bill Belichick is no longer the head coach of the New England Patriots, a position he’s held for nearly a quarter century, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Mike Reiss.
Rumors of his departure swirled throughout the season, in which the Pats finished 4-13 and last in the AFC East.
Belichick won six Super Bowls — only George Halas and Curly Lambeau can also stake that claim — and 17 division titles.
ESPN, citing sources, said it was a mutual decision between Belichick and owner Robert Kraft.
The news comes hours after Belichick’s coaching disciple Nick Saban announced his retirement.
Belichick, 71, still plans to coach with ESPN reporting that, of the seven head coaching vacancies, the Hoodie could possibly join the Atlanta Falcons.
Former Pats linebacker Jerod Mayo is seen as Belichick’s heir, but another former New England LB, Mike Vrabel, was fired by Tennessee earlier this week and could be in the mix.
While Belichick guided New England to 21 winning seasons, the team saw its fortunes turn after Tom Brady left. The Patriots’ last playoff win was its Super Bowl LIII victory while Brady was still under center.
Belichick notched 266 of his 302 career wins with New England. He spent five years as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, and was set to replace Bill Parcells but resigned as HC of the NYJ, before settling into Foxborough.
Belichick replaced Pete Carroll — who will move into an advisory role with Seattle — as New England’s head coach.
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