Belichick Named AP NFL Coach Of The Year

In the latest NFL news, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick won the Associated Press 2010 NFL Coach of the Year, for the third time this decade. Belichick also won the coveted award back in 2003 and 2007. He is only one shy of Hall of Famer, Don Shula, who has won the award four times.

Coach Belichick received 30 of the 50 votes from a committee consisting of media members who regularly cover the NFL. Behind Bill were Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris who received 11 ½, and Chiefs Todd Haley who got 4 ½ . 4 other NFL coaches received one vote each, including: Falcons Mike Smith, Eagles Andy Reid, Bears Lovie Smith, and Rams Steve Spagnuolo.

Bill Belichick was heralded for making a successful transition of the New England Patriots to a much younger team. He led the Patriots to a 14-2 regular season record. His starting QB, Tom Brady was voted AP Offensive Player of the Year earlier this week.

“I will say the foundation of the Patriots organization, which starts with Mr. Kraft and Coach Belichick, has not changed since the day I arrived,” Brady said. “They have and will always do what is in the best interest of the team, and they will continue to find selfless players that love to work hard, compete and strive to be the best they can possibly be.”

“He really stays on top of us,” wide receiver Wes Welker said. “He makes sure that we’re not getting overconfident or believing in the noise outside the locker room and understand that every game’s tough in the NFL.”

Belichick’s record with the Patriots is 126-50, plus a 14-5 mark in the playoffs, with losses in the last three tries with teams that went a collective 40-8. His career winning percentage of .716 ranks eighth, tied with Hall of Famer Paul Brown, and no other coach has four 14-victory regular seasons.

Coach Belichick is not known as the most likable NFL head coach, but his record over his career qualifies him as one the top 5 coaches ever in NFL history.

sources: nfl.com, usatoday