His teams were the least penalized and had the most college grads. His free-agent expenditure was unusual. His improvement and situational awareness were legendary—undrafted Malcolm Butler cutting the route in a Super Bowl win. He neutralized an opponent's best player. He could coach any position on the field since he was a great basics instructor.
His career involved zigging when others zagged. When offensive linemen became popular, the Patriots won the 2018 Super Bowl with a starting five that ranked 26th in compensation ($17.3 million), less than Dallas' one player (Tyron Smith, $17.6 million).
He did it all with counterculture flair. Unless he wanted to be charming, he was rude to the media. He enjoyed being a villain, to some extent. Teams so distrusted him that they frequently searched the Gillette Stadium visiting locker room for recording devices (none were discovered, but he was certainly in their heads).
He clashed with the league office during 2007's Spygate affair, which he constantly played down. A few years later, Belichick quoted “My Cousin Vinny” during a press conference when the NFL claimed Brady's excellence came from inflating the football.
He was contrarian in everything, even refusing to feature in EA Sports' "Madden" series every year. He took delight in being the only object not “in the game.” There are just two persons who have declined the Presidential Medal of Freedom: Dolly Parton and him.
He did it all in a worn-out hooded sweatshirt with cut-off sleeves as a passive-aggressive response to the NFL's Reebok coaches' gear agreement cancellation. Friends say he wanted to seem unfashionable. Instead, the “BB Hoodie” became a hot seller.
Belichick was a sideline mobster and NFL calling card for over 25 years. Like him. Hate him. Cheer him. Fear him. All was the same. With each 13-win season, he mumbled “The Patriot Way,” “Do Your Job,” and “We’re on to Cincinnati.” He's 71 but still can coach, so Foxborough may not be his last place. With 302 wins, Don Shula's 328-win record should be pursued.
The run in New England, with Brady as the shining star and Belichick the brooding, secretive genius, to the Super Bowl will never be replicated. As with coin flips, the NFL will always find its balance. However, Belichick's protracted defiance produced legends and challenged probability.