Billy B. Named NFL Coach of the Year

[Razor Shines]

Undefeated season earns Pats' Belichick Coach of the Year honors

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Bill Belichick's ability to lead New England to an undefeated season was rewarded on Thursday when he was named the Coach of the Year, as voted on by the Associated Press.

Belichick guided the Patriots to the first undefeated regular season in league history since the 1972 Miami Dolphins under Don Shula. Belichick also won the award in 2003 when the Patriots finished 14-2 and topped Carolina in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

The award comes despite a major embarrassment for Belichick in the season opener. The Patriots were caught filming the New York Jets' defensive signals. Belichick was fined $500,000 -- the largest fine ever imposed on a coach in the league's 87-year history, and the maximum permitted under league rules. The Patriots were also fined $250,000. Additionally, the Patriots will forfeit their first round draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. New England will select seventh in round one by virtue of a draft day 2007 trade with San Francisco.

Belichick netted 29 of the possible 50 votes for the award. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy received 15 votes, Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips and Jacksonville's Jack Del Rio got two each while both Indianapolis head coach Tony Dungy and Tampa Bay's Jon Gruden got one apiece.

The 55-year-old Belichick is looking to lead the Patriots to their fourth Super Bowl title in the last seven years.

I can't believe Dungy didn't get more than one vote. Finishing #2 in the AFC with the massive amounts of injuries the Colts have had should have been worth more than one. He should have won IMO, but I may be a little biased.

[dougdirt]

Marvin Lewis should have won before Belichick. I am sorry, but when you are punished by the NFL for blatently cheating, you should not even be eligible for coach of the year.

[Oxilon]

Yeah, all he did was win every regular season game...something that's only happened...oh, once in the past 35 years. You can hold "spygate" against him all you want, but going undeafted surely surmounts any idea of him "cheating."

[WMR]

Yeah, all he did was win every regular season game...something that's only happened...oh, once in the past 35 years. You can hold "spygate" against him all you want, but going undeafted surely surmounts any idea of him "cheating."

It shouldn't.

Same way the NFL changed their rules to prevent players suspended for drugs winning individual achievement trophies, the same should hold true for the blatant cheating of the dishonest Bilicheat.

[cincrazy]

Joe Gibbs. People were calling for his head, he lost his starting QB to injury, he tragically loses a star player to murder.... and he rallies his team to 4 straight wins down the stretch. Remarkable. Maybe the old man hasn't lost his touch after all, huh?

[Bip Roberts]

Merriman wasnt given POY award last year because he was busted for roiding, same should go for Bilichick.

[HeatherC1212]

Joe Gibbs. People were calling for his head, he lost his starting QB to injury, he tragically loses a star player to murder.... and he rallies his team to 4 straight wins down the stretch. Remarkable. Maybe the old man hasn't lost his touch after all, huh?

I thought this award would go to Joe Gibbs too. He's done amazing things with that team through crazy circumstances and I think he deserved it this year. :thumbdown

[Caveat Emperor]

Joe Gibbs. People were calling for his head, he lost his starting QB to injury, he tragically loses a star player to murder.... and he rallies his team to 4 straight wins down the stretch. Remarkable. Maybe the old man hasn't lost his touch after all, huh?

I'm sympathetic to the Sean Taylor situation, but Gibbs wouldn't even be in my top five. Its also not like they lost a great quarterback when Campbell got hurt -- he's 12/11 TD to INT and was below league average for passing efficiency. It was a poor decision to draft him, and even worse decision to turn the team over to him. His poor crunch-time performance cost the team at least 2 victories.

My list would be: McCarthy, Del Rio, Gruden, Dungy, Belichick -- in that order. If no "spygate" had happened, Belichick would've jumped to #1. As it is, no team has been more impressive with less than the Packers.