Belichick pursuing TV opportunities
It’s been a little more than a month since Bill Belichick and the Patriots parted ways, and the 71-year-old Belichick is now looking into opportunities other than being an NFL head coach, according to his son, Steve Belichick.
Steve, who left the Patriots staff as linebackers coach to become defensive coordinator at the University of Washington earlier this month, discussed his father’s future and other topics during an appearance on the “Green Light” podcast, which is hosted by former Patriots defensive end Chris Long.
The younger Belichick spoke about why he accepted the position at Washington, his relationship with new Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo, and his experience working with recently retired Pro Bowl special-teamer Matthew Slater.
Here are three takeaways from the conversation.
Belichick is pursuing a television gig
Long asked Steve Belichick how his father was handling the breakup with the Patriots.
“I think he’s good, you know?” Belichick said. “You let the stuff roll off your back and move forward. He doesn’t dwell unless we lost the game and need to get on some guys, but eventually you’ve got to turn the page.
“Honestly, I wasn’t too involved in any of that stuff. He did his thing; I do my thing, and that was kind of that.”
Belichick said his father is looking at getting a media job. He also threw in some sarcasm, joking that the elder Belichick might consider joining Long’s podcast.
“He’s definitely pursuing some other kind of stuff, whether it’s TV or a regular on the ‘Green Light’ or whatever,” Belichick said.
Belichick was pleased to see his father’s personality shine through during an appearance on “College Gameday” when Gillette Stadium hosted the Armynavy game last fall.
Bill Belichick brought his own headgear to the set: He placed a 1962 Navy football helmet on his head when he picked the Midshipmen to win.
“In my head, I’m like, I hope he just goes out and is himself and shows his personality a little bit,” Steve Belichick said. “Which he doesn’t do most of the time, unless you’re in the building.
“Once you’re in the building, you see the things he likes to say. You kind of get a sense of his humor.”
How does Belichick like to spend free time?
Bill Belichick has more free time right now than he ever did when he was coaching the Patriots. Long asked the younger Belichick what his father likes to do.
“I would say his hobby would still be to critique football,” Belichick said. “He was excited when I came out here because he got to evaluate the scheme last year, evaluate the players, and I’m sure he’ll come out here to do some stuff. The guy just loves football, so there’s definitely that element.
“He does, obviously in Nantucket, swimming, paddleboarding and biking, all that type of stuff on the
island. He does that stuff.”
Forging own path
Steve Belichick said he knew only two people at Washington when he decided to take the defensive coordinator job: head coach Jedd Fisch, who served as Patriots quarterbacks coach in 2020, and Vinnie Sunseri, who was on the Patriots staff the past four seasons.
Belichick said his relationship with Fisch played a role in his decision to take the job.
“We kept in touch, he gave me the opportunity, and I just ran with it,” Belichick said.
Belichick, who spent 12 seasons on his father’s staff in New England, said he’s looking forward to forging his own path as a coach.
“Being the son, you’re always kind of in the shadow,” he said. “I’ve tried to not be him. I want to be Steve, I don’t want to be Bill.”