Before Bill Belichick started his legendary stint with the New England Patriots, the head coach had a rough time with the New York Jets. In fact, Belichick was named the Jets’ head coach twice, but not once did he ever lead the team. Strange, right?
When Bill Belichick Turned in His Resignation a Day After He Was Announced as Jets HC
The Jets announced Belichick as the team’s interim head coach in February 1997 as they tried sorting out the complications with the Patriots to allow Bill Parcells to join the Jets. Six days later, when both teams reached an agreement, Parcells joined as the head coach.
Meanwhile, Belichick worked as the team’s assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. Yet, it’s his resignation as the Jets head coach in January 2000 that remains one of the most dramatic moments in NFL history.
When Parcells — whom Belichick worked under with the Patriots and the New York Giants — stepped down as the Jets’ HC after the 1999 season, Belichick was in line to succeed since he had worked under him the past two seasons.
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The Jets made the announcement to make it official. However, one day later, instead of talking to the media as the Jets’ new head coach, Belichick turned in his resignation to the surprise of many.
He cited his reasons during a 12-minute press conference on Jan. 4, 2000.
“To the various uncertainties surrounding my position as it relates to the team’s new ownership, I have decided to resign as the head coach of the New York Jets,” Belichick said.
Belichick cited his prior experiences with teams in transition, hinting at the challenges he faced in Cleveland during the Browns’ tumultuous move to Baltimore.
“I’ve been in a situation where I was the head coach of a team in transition… Frankly, it wasn’t a real good experience for me, and it wasn’t a very good experience for them,” he added.
At the heart of Belichick’s concerns was the uncertainty surrounding the Jets’ future following the death of Leon Hess, the team’s owner at the time. The franchise was in the process of being sold. Without clarity on the incoming ownership’s vision or leadership style, Belichick struggled to see a path forward.
“There are things that are beyond anyone’s control,” he said. “As much as [Hess] would want things resolved, for whatever reason, they aren’t.”
“I have to be honest with myself. I have to do what I’m comfortable doing and what I feel is right,” Belichick added.
Jets Received First-Round Compensation After Patriots Allegedly Poached Belichick
Before Parcells stepped down as head coach, the Patriots asked the Jets to allow them to interview Belichick to fill their vacancy.
Soon after Belichick resigned as New York’s HC, he was announced as the Patriots head coach. This seemed all pretty convenient to the Jets, who complained to NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue that New England interviewed Belichick when he was still under contract with them.
Tagliabue agreed, and the Patriots were forced to give up their first-round draft pick to the Jets in 2000.