When Robert Kraft became the owner of the New England Patriots, he had to pocket $172 million – a record amount back then for a sport team. Looking at the team’s latest $2.6 billion valuation by Forbes, it seems like Kraft’s risky business investment has paid off big time. For the Patriots to get to where they are now, there are lots of reasons and lots of people to credit for but there are two names you can never leave out. In fact, they deserve to be mentioned first and foremost: Head coach Bill Belichick and Quarterback Tom Brady. Together, they make a perfect, powerful coach-quarterback combo in building the Patriots dynasty When did they start working together? Belichick (1952) was hired as the Patriots head coach in January, 2000 with …show more content…
Belichick did not really realize back then the legacy that Brady would bring:“a good, tough, competitive, smart quarterback that is a good value and how he does and what he’ll be able to do, we’ll just put him out there with everybody else and let him compete and see what happens.” (excerpt from the transcript of Belichick’s press interview, Day 2 of the 2000 Draft) Brady did not start at quarterback in his rookie seasons. Up to now, this is the only losing season since Belichick took the reign with the Patriots. What have they achieved together so far? Since Belichick was appointed the head coach of the New England Patriots, the team has become more successful than they ever were. Under his rein, the Patriots has scored 6 Super Bowl appearances with 4 victories (SXXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, and XLIX), making him the only NFL head coach ever winning 3 Super Bowl trophies in a four-year span. During his 15 years as a head coach, the Patriots also achieved six conference titles, 12 division crowns, 22 playoff victories with the longest winning streak of 21 consecutive games (including regular season and playoff games) from 2003 to 2004. The team’s consistent performances over the years is particularly impressive The winningest coach has been named The Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year awards three times (for 2003, 2007, and 2010