By living his mantra of “do your job,” Bill Belichick has passed a football icon in the record books. The longtime Patriots coach passed former Bears head coach George Halas for No. 2 all-time in career wins by a head coach following Sunday’s 22-17 road win over the Jets.
Belichick, 70, now has 325 career wins in 28 seasons as an NFL head coach. Halas, who for a time owned, coached and played for the Bears, compiled 324 wins during his 40-year run in Chicago that included winning six league titles in four different decades.
Halas, who during his career surpassed former rival and Packers coach Curly Lambeau for first on the all-time list, was passed by Colts/Dolphins Hall of Fame coach Don Shula in 1993, 26 years after Halas coached his final game for the Bears. Shula, who presided over the NFL’s only undefeated team in 1972, retired two years later with 347 wins, which remains the all-time record.
Belichick received an informal football education from a young age. HIs father, Steve, was a former NFL fullback who served as a scout on Navy’s football staff for over 30 years. The younger Belichick began his coaching career shortly after playing football and lacrosse at Division III Wesleyan.
At 27, Belichick received his big break, as he was hired to the same Giants staff that included his future boss, Bill Parcells. Belichick, who broke into the NFL with the Colts before spending time with the Lions and Broncos, remained on the Giants’ staff when Parcells was elevated to head coach in 1983. Despite a rocky first season, Belichick stayed with Parcells despite having an opportunity to join the Vikings’ defensive staff.
Belichick’s loyalty to Parcells was immediately rewarded. Following a breakout 1984 season that saw the Giants upset Eric Dickerson’s Rams in the playoffs, Parcells promoted Belichick to defensive coordinator. The Giants’ defense quickly ascended to the league’s best, as they spearheaded New York’s run to the franchise’s first Super Bowl win at the end of the 1986 season. Belichick was carried off the field after the Giants shut out Washington in the 1986 NFC title game that clinched New York’s first Super Bowl berth.
Four years later, the Giants shocked the world by dethroning the two-time defending champion 49ers in the NFC title game. They further shocked the world after upsetting the Bills in Super Bowl XXV. Belichick’s defensive game plan against…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at CBSSports.com Headlines…