Bill Belichick has opened up on the humble beginnings of his NFL coaching career.
The New England Patriots boss has enjoyed a stellar career that has seen him capture eight Super Bowl titles, six as a head coach. But the 71-year-old had to work hard for the success he attained and when he began his career with the former Baltimore Colts as their special assistant in 1975, he didn’t earn a penny - but was delighted to gain some valuable experience.
“I started off working for nothing with the Colts and I couldn't have been happier,” Belichick told the 33rd team. "It was the break of a lifetime too, being employed by coach (Ted) Marchibroda and the Colts.
“And then I got that big raise to $25 a week in training camp, but it was all really about the experience." Belichick spent a year with the franchise before joining the Detroit Lions as their assistant special teams coach.
He spent three seasons in the Motor City and while there he worked with the receivers and became a defensive assistant. He took his first head coaching role in 1991 with the Cleveland Browns and at the turn of the millennium, became the Patriots' head coach.
Over the course of his 48-year coaching career, Belichick doesn't regret a single thing he did to get to where he is now. Furthermore, he has always tried to mould people in the same manner in which he rose up the ranks. "That's really a good quality when you invest in yourself like that, then it has a way of paying off. So I've always kind of liked to promote from within,” he added.
“I like for people to come in, establish themselves, establish their work ethic, gain respect in the building for the other coaches and players that see what they put into it as the people did before them. Earn that respect, and then move up in the organization as they are able to acclimate more experience.”
At present, Belichick is preparing his team for the new season and the Patriots will be keen to bounce back after failing to qualify for the Playoffs last season. Question marks over the team’s quarterback remain, as many have wondered if Mac Jones is the right player to help drive the former champions forward.
He produced just 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last year, and Belichick refused to give much away about the player in a recent press conference. "We're all trying to prove ourselves," he said. "It is the start of football season. We have all got a lot of work to do, things to learn, understand, improve on, work on.
"We're all doing the same thing. Going through the process, building blocks, building the foundation, working with our teammates and getting better day by day." The Patriots will begin the new season against the Super Bowl runners-up against the Philadelphia Eagles in front of their home crowd at Gillette Stadium.
