New York's Longtime Nemesis Leaves Division, Tenure Ends after Loss to Jets

Rival Bill Belichick will no longer coach the New England Patriots after 24 seasons

Author:
Ralph Ventre
Publish date:
Jan 11, 2024 8:30 AM EST

In this story:

The New York Jets were the winners in Bill Belichick's final game as the New England Patriots' head coach.

On Thursday morning, reports emerged that the Patriots and their legendary leader are parting ways. After 24 seasons, and six Super Bowl titles, Belichick will no longer coach the Jets' AFC East rivals. NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero delivered the morning news.

"He’s been around for a very long time, quality control, linebackers coach, and a d-coordinator, so I’ll give him credit," said Jets' third-year head coach Robert Saleh. If you ain’t got no haters you ain’t popping, and he’s been popping for a very, very long time. So whenever you can get a win on him, it’s always special."

The announcement came four days after the Jets ended the 2023 regular season schedule by posting a 17-3 win over Belichick's Patriots on January 7 at Gillette Stadium. It was New York's first victory over the New England since December 27, 2015 — a span of 15 consecutive losses in the series.

"Credit to them. You’ve got to do something pretty special to be able to have a winning streak like that. Again, like I said, starting 2024 was the most important thing for us, starting it strong with a win," said Saleh.

The divisional rivalry immediately gained intensity when Belichick joined the Patriots in 2000. Earlier that year, the Jets hired Belichick to succeed Bill Parcells as Gang Green's head coach but his stint lasted only one day. In a bizarre series of events, Belichick was introduced as Jets' coach on January 4, 2000 before resigning the next day.

While forced to send a first-round pick to New York as compensation, the Patriots hired Belichick for the start of the 2000 season. He proceeded to torture the Green & White, and the entire AFC East, for the next quarter-century, compiling a 266-121 record and presiding over 17 division crowns.

The Jets' managed one notable victory during Belichick's tenure — a 2010 AFC Divisional Round win that sent Rex Ryan's Jets to the conference championship game.

While Belichick became a mainstay in New England, the Jets hired seven different head coaches over the same time period. In his final season at the helm, Belichick and the Patriots (4-13) finished last in the AFC East behind the third-place Jets (7-10).