It would’ve been understandable if Brian Belichick didn’t want to return to the Patriots.
This offseason, he watched as his father, Bill Belichick, had a mutual parting of ways with Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Next, his older brother, Steve Belichick, left the organization to become the defensive coordinator at the University of Washington.
Instead of leaving and starting a new chapter, Brian Belichick opted to return to the Patriots and work for Jerod Mayo. The new head coach admitted that it’s an awkward situation but noted that the youngest Belichick son has handled the situation “the right way.”
For Brian Belichick, returning to New England was an easy decision after his wife, Callie, gave birth to their daughter this offseason.
“I was thankful and happy to get the opportunity to coach here and was thankful and happy to take advantage of it and take (Mayo) up on it,” Brian Belichick said on Wednesday. “I have a lot of gratitude in my life right now with my daughter, my job, being here, living in this area. I love it. I just hope I can contribute to help us be the best team we can this year.”
Much like his brother, Steve, Brian Belichick grew up as a coach in the Patriots organization. After graduating from Trinity College in 2016, he joined the organization as a scouting assistant. The next year, he became a coaching assistant. In 2020, he earned a promotion to safeties coach.
After his father left the Patriots organization, Brian Belichick said he spoke with him about remaining in New England and on Mayo’s staff. He noted that he continues to talk to his father about his job and this year’s Patriots team.
Brian Belichick also said that not working with his dad has helped their relationship.
“This is getting a little personal about our family dynamics, but in a way, I think it was good for us to have some separation from being in a football building every day, seeing each other,” Brian Belichick said. “Whereas now, we’re not just connected by football. Not that it was that way before, but we talk about other things because we’re in different places and not the same place every day. There’s a lot to talk about football-wise, so it was hard not to get caught up with that when you saw each other at work every day.”
On Wednesday, Mayo said that he was thrilled to have Brian Belichick back on his staff.
“He’s been fantastic, he’s been fantastic,” Mayo said. “There are other guys in the organization that it has been a little awkward for him, and those guys have handled it the right way. Look, Brian loves football, and he loves New England. I think I talked about this a little bit earlier: a guy, new baby, loves it up here, and wants to stay. We’re happy that he’s here.”
In the end, the coach happy to stay in New England and live out his dream.
“I have the opportunity to coach a position in the National Football League. How much more can you ask for than that?” Brian Belichick said. “It’s been awesome. A place that we just had our daughter and living around here, trying to take it day by day both at home and at work. Trying to be the best we can – the best parents and best coach in the building I can. That’s my focus.”
