Bill Belichick says coaching titles don’t matter; yet, he’s gone to comedic lengths in his refusal to name an offensive or defensive coordinator.
Can you see the hypocrisy?
Once again, Belichick dismissed questions Tuesday about the Patriots’ lack of staff structure in what is quickly becoming a tired cat-and-mouse game. Way back at the NFL Meetings, Belichick said he’s “not big on titles,” and he’s stuck to his line ever since. The opening of training camp was no exception.
“We’re not really big on titles and all that,” Belichick told reporters. “I think everybody…it’s important that we all work together and create a good final product. That’s what we’re going to try to do. That’s what we’ve always done.”
Interestingly, Belichick emphasized his role as the head coach before delving into his usual non-speak. “Look, I’m the head coach. Ultimately, I’m responsible for everything,” he said.
That’s the closest Belichick will probably ever come to revealing a reason for his title-less staff: he wants to take the blame if the team struggles.
While it’s noble for Belichick to try and shield his assistants from backlash, there might be a couple of more concerning explanations for the ambiguity. Official coordinators take on more responsibility and visibility, such as weekly calls with reporters. Maybe Belichick doesn’t trust Matt Patricia or Joe Judge to be in that role. Judge is labeled as an offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach, while Patricia is listed as a senior football advisor and offensive line coach.
For 12 seasons, Josh McDaniels ran the offense in concert with Tom Brady. Belichick didn’t seem to think that titles were pointless when McDaniels was around.
Analysts who try to rationalize Belichick’s bizarre approach wind up twisting themselves into verbal knots — such as Robert Griffin III.
“I think it’s an advantage for the Patriots, honestly,” said Griffin on ESPN recently. “Every offensive coordinator that I’ve ever worked with, and every defensive coordinator that I’ve ever gone up against, they have a schtick. Something that you know, like ‘this is a massive tendency that they’re gonna do.’ But if you’re the Patriots, and you don’t have that documented, it gives you a slight advantage. If you know anything about Bill Belichick, he’s looking at every advantage he can find.”
To prove his strange thesis, Griffin brought up how the Patriots went 14-2 the last time they didn’t have an offensive coordinator. But of course, there was one big difference back in 2010: Brady was under center.
Now it’s Mac Jones, who’s entering his sophomore season.
How the Patriots configured their offensive coaching staff in the past is irrelevant, because Brady is no longer here. He was an all-time safety valve.
This will be the fourth straight season in which the Patriots are without an official defensive coordinator, which could speak to another troubling reality: Belichick is protecting his kids.
Earlier this offseason, ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio raised the possibility that Belichick is treating his kids differently. For example: the Bills walloped the Patriots in their final two meetings. Those are the kinds of performances that get coordinators fired, and Steve Belichick is considered the Patriots’ de-facto DC.
“Bill isn’t going to fire one of his kids,” said Florio. "And if you ain’t gonna fire one of your kids, it makes it harder to hold other people on the staff accountable as well.”
With that in mind, it seems like titles are very important. By pretending they’re useless, Belichick can remove his underlings from the spotlight, and make life easier for his sons.
That’s not what’s best for the football team.
