Bill Belichick is again among the coaches still in contention for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was one of five to advance in the selection process Thursday.
Many expected Belichick to make the Hall on his first try. He has the second-most wins of any head coach, and is often regarded as one of the greatest to coach in the NFL. But he didn’t get in on the first ballot, prompting criticism from former players and debate across the sport. Belichick was reportedly puzzled and disappointed by the result.
He could be part of the Hall’s Class of 2027. The other coaches who advanced are Tom Coughlin, Dan Reeves, Mike Holmgren and Mike Shanahan. A coaching subcommittee is scheduled to meet Nov. 17 and select one candidate to move on to the full voting committee.
Belichick advanced in 2026, too, so another step forward may be likely. The bigger question is whether he’ll receive the 40 votes needed for election.
His record includes six Super Bowl titles as head coach of the New England Patriots. He also won two more as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants. After missing out on the Hall last year, he reportedly wondered whether six Super Bowl wins were not enough.
The Hall of Fame changed its selection process after Belichick was passed over. The voting committee was reduced from 50 members to 28, formal presentations were eliminated, and the senior category was combined with the modern-era category.
Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said the organization regularly reviews its rules to maintain the integrity of the process and recognize the significance of election. He described choosing each new class as the Hall’s most important responsibility.
Belichick is in his second season coaching the North Carolina Tar Heels. The team is 4-4 this year.
