NFL Hall of Fame Snubs Arguably the Greatest Coach of All Time

NEW YORK, NY — Bill Belichick, the eight-time Super Bowl–winning coach widely regarded as one of the greatest in NFL history, was not elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, according to multiple reports.

ESPN reported that Belichick did not receive the required 40 of 50 votes from the Hall of Fame Selection Committee earlier this month. A Hall representative informed Belichick on Friday that he will not be inducted this summer in Canton, Ohio.

Belichick compiled a 333-178 coaching record, including playoffs, second only to Don Shula in NFL history. He won six Super Bowls as head coach of the New England Patriots and two more as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants. He also holds NFL records for division titles (17) and conference championships (nine).

Sources familiar with the voting process said discussions among committee members included the Patriots’ Spygate and Deflategate scandals during deliberations. One voter told ESPN those issues influenced some members’ decisions.

Belichick was a finalist alongside Patriots owner Robert Kraft, marking the first time Kraft advanced to the finalist stage after more than a decade of eligibility. The two parted ways in January 2024 after 24 seasons together and have since had a strained public relationship.

It remains unclear whether Kraft or any other finalists received the votes necessary for induction.

Belichick, who is now head coach at North Carolina, finished his first season there with a 4-8 record. His former team, now coached by Mike Vrabel, will face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.

Belichick’s absence from the first-ballot class delays consideration for several other prominent coaching candidates, including Mike Shanahan, Tom Coughlin and Mike Holmgren.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be announced Feb. 5.