New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is viewed as one of the most important figures in the history of the National Football League and the best coach in NFL history. In the eyes of former coach Rex Ryan, however, Belichick is largely the beneficiary of success created by Tom Brady.
Belichick’s track record speaks for itself. He is one of only three coaches in NFL history with at least 300 wins. The Patriots’ coach has the most playoff wins in NFL history (31), one of only three coaches with 20-plus postseason wins. Most importantly, Belichick has won six Super Bowls as a head coach.
- Bill Belichick coaching record: 300-160 in the regular season (.652), 31-13 (.705) in playoffs
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Since Brady left New England, the team has struggled. The Patriots have just one winning season in the last four years and haven’t won a playoff game since Brady’s last Super Bowl. After the latest loss, Belichick’s role in the problems has been a focal point of discussions.
- Rex Ryan coaching record: 61-66 in the regular season (.480), 4-2 (.667) in playoffs
Appearing on Monday’s Get Up, Ryan went after Belichick for the Patriots’ struggles.
“Tom Brady was the only reason you won anyway. I’m just telling you the difference… I said they would never win again when he trotted down to Tampa.”
Rex Ryan on Bill Belichick following the New England Patriots’ Week 12 loss (H/T Awful Announcing)
Rex Ryan’s history of downplaying Bill Belichick’s success
Monday wasn’t the first time Rex Ryan has taken aim at his former division rival. In the last two years alone working at ESPN, the NFL analyst has repeatedly gone after Belichick on multiple platforms.
In January 2023 during an appearance on ESPN’s Keyshawn, JWill and Max, Ryan suggested that he would’ve fun multiple Super Bowls if he was the Patriots’ coach. He also left open the possibility that he would be just as successful as Belichick.
“I think it’s hilarious, I’ve been saying it forever. Give me Tom Brady and see my stats. How many Super Bowls would I have won? I don’t know if I would’ve won that many [six or seven], but maybe.”
Rex Ryan on Belichick in January 2023 (H/T Sports Illustrated)
Ryan’s dislike for Belichick and his willingness to speak out against the Patriots’ coach has been a recurring thing. On the Dan Patrick Show in September 2022, Ryan was asked if he ever believed he outcoached Belichick. While he admitted it might’ve only happened once, he again took a shot in the process.
- Bill Belichick record vs Rex Ryan: 9-4
“We damn sure outplayed him…I think, maybe one time, maybe one time. I coached against him more than any other coach in the history of this game and I’m sure he outcoached me in every other one, but I might have got him once…If I had Tom Brady, I might’ve outcoached him a few more times.”
Rex Ryan on if he’s ever outcoached Belichick
In six seasons as the Jets’ head coach, Ryan had a combined .479 winning percentage and didn’t make the playoffs in his final four seasons. Provided a second chance with the Buffalo Bills, he went 15-16 (2015-’16) before being fired after Week 16 in his second season. No NFL team has hired him since.
