16 September 2023 , 15:38
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Long-time New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick seems set to stave off retirement for another few seasons to surpass the all-time wins record held by the late Don Shula.
Belichick, 71, is in his 24th year as Patriots head coach and already has several records to his name. He has enjoyed unparalleled success as a coach, with more Super Bowl wins (eight) and appearances (12) than anyone else.
The veteran is also in the history books with the most playoff wins (31) and divisional championships (17). Belichick is tied for the most postseason appearances (19) as well.
Shula shares that particular record with him. The Miami Dolphins legend is also the winningest NFL head coach across the regular season and overall, including the playoffs.
He also remains the only person to coach an undefeated season, as he did with the 1972 Dolphins. However, with this Patriots vintage unlikely to hit those heights, Belichick is instead said to be keen on displacing Shula atop the all-time wins list.
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The Boston Globe, via the DolphinsTalk.com Podcast, claims that criticism dating back to 2007 drives the Pats coach to continue until he breaks the record. Shula spoke out against Belichick during that year's spying scandal.
He said: "The Spygate thing has diminished what they've accomplished; you would hate to have that attached to your accomplishments. They’ve got it."
Belichick is on the Patriots sideline for a 24th seasonThe controversy came after the Patriots were videotaping opposing coaches' signals during games, which violated league rules, according to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. It resulted in an investigation that saw Belichick receive a $500,000 fine, still the largest in league history.
New England was also fined $250,000 and lost their first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Shula's comments at the time are said to have hurt Belichick, who looked up to the former Baltimore Colts coach.
That feeling is now fuelling his desire to displace him as the winningest coach in league history. The Pats coach is still 19 wins short of Shula's 347 overall mark and 30 behind the regular season record.
Looking at the former, that will likely take this Patriots team another three seasons to accomplish. They have won 25 games total since the departure of Tom Brady in 2020, winning eight last year and ten the season previous.
Team owner Robert Kraft also spoke about the record before the start of this season. “I’d like him to break Don Shula’s record, but I’m not looking for any of our players to get great stats,” Kraft said earlier this summer.
"We’re about winning, and doing whatever we can to win. And that’s what our focus is now. It’s very important to me that we make the playoffs, and that’s what I hope happens next year.”
The season did not get off to a winning start, losing 25-20 at home to the Philadelphia Eagles. They face the Dolphins on Sunday night.