Before shockingly being hired as North Carolina’s football coach, Bill Belichick had a desire to return to the NFL and that desire was so strong, he had interest in joining the team he famously ditched for the New England Patriots nearly 25 years ago.
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the New York Jets were “stunned” to learn that Belichick at one point was interested in their vacant head-coaching job.
Russini noted a “very small circle” of people in the Jets organization were aware of Belichick’s interest, but no meeting or formal conversation ever happened before he met with North Carolina officials.
This report has been confirmed by many other New York Jets beat writers.
The history of Belichick and the Jets is one of the most famous stories in NFL history. It all started when Bill Parcells’ hand-picked Belichick to be his successor in New York after he stepped down following the 1999 season. Belichick was an assistant head coach and defensive coordinator on Parcells’ staff for his three seasons with the Jets from 1997 to ’99.
On Jan. 4, 2000, the day the Jets were set to introduce Belichick as their head coach, he wrote on a piece of paper he was resigning from the position and handed it to team officials before going through with the already-scheduled press conference explaining his decision.
Nearly a month later Patriots owner Robert Kraft received a letter from Parcells that stated the Jets granted Belichick, who was still under contract with the Jets, permission too peak with him about “any position they desire.”
The Patriots ultimately traded the Jets three draft picks, including a first-round selection in 2000, for the contractual rights to Belichick and two draft picks. That move worked out well as New England went on to win six Super Bowls titles during Belchick’s 24 year tenure as head coach.
Meanwhile the Jets have a total of six playoff games since 2000 and haven’t made the postseason since 2010.
