Two years ago, Bill Belichick guided the Patriots to their first-ever world championship. Wednesday, on the opening day of training camp at Gillette Stadium, team Owner Robert Kraft awarded Belichick with a two-year contract extension.
"We've extended his agreement by two years, making it a seven-year agreement," Kraft announced before presenting former Patriot Ron Burton with a $5,000 check to benefit the Ron Burton Training Village.
"It's a real thrill for me to be a part of the Kraft Family and this organization," Belichick said. "I'm pleased that Mr. Kraft has chosen to extend my agreement here."
As with Belichick's first contract with the team, the two sides have agreed to keep the terms of the deal private. Belichick originally signed a five-year deal in 2000, but the actual financial terms of that contract were never released.
He went 5-11 in his first season before rebounding to an 11-5 Super Bowl championship season in 2001. His coaching job in 2001 was described by many experts as one of the greatest ever. Last season, his team finished in a 9-7 tie for first place in the AFC East but missed the playoffs by virtue of the tie-breaking system.
He is 25-23 as Patriots coach and 28-23 counting the postseason. He was 36-44 in five years as the Browns head coach from 1991-1995 and went 1-1 in the postseason with Cleveland. His overall head coaching record is 61-67.
