Bill Belichick: Coach Of The Year?

The 2008 New England Patriots' season seemed doomed just a few minutes into their opening game against the Kansas City Chiefs.  In one stadium-silencing blow, the 2008 New England Patriots went from Super Bowl favorites to Playoff afterthoughts.

Having lost their franchise quarterback to a season-ending knee injury, the Patriots handed over their record-breaking offense to an untested, unknown fourth year backup quarterback who hadn't started a single game since his high school days. Speculation over which free agent veteran the Patriots would bring in to be their quarterback began to mount but Belichick emphatically announced that Matt Cassel would be the Patriots quarterback for the 2008 season.

After an embarrassing loss to the Chargers in which Cassel was sacked four times while completing just over 50 percent of his passes many began calling for the insertion of rookie quarterback and third round pick Kevin O'Connell into the team's starting lineup.  Once again Bill Belichick stood firm in his support for Matt Cassel.

His patience was immediately rewarded as his Patriots demolished the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football and Matt Cassel earned AFC offensive player of the week honors.  Despite the sudden loss of arguably the best player in the NFL in the first week of the season, Belichick was able to lead his team to a record of 5-3 at the season's half-way point.

But the Patriots' misfortune was far from over.  Season-ending injuries to team captain and defensive leader Rodney Harrison, starting running back Laurence Maroney, starting outside linebacker Adalius Thomas, Thomas' back up linebacker Gary Guyton, their starting inside linebacker Tedy Bruschi as well as injuries to defensive ends Ty Warren and Richard Seymour threatened to ruin a season Belichick and the Patriots had already fought so hard to rescue.

Following two heart-breaking losses at the hands of two of their biggest rivals (the Colts and Jets), no one would have blamed the Patriots if they lost their focus and began looking to next year.  But Belichick would not let them think of anything other than the task at hand.  The Patriots went on to finish their season on a dominating four game winning streak to leave their record at an astounding 11-5, tied for first place in the AFC East.

Although a poor conference record and highly competitive AFC ultimately ruined any chance they had at making the playoffs, Belichick coached his team to the fifth best record in the NFL.  In a season where his team suffered injuries that would probably have crippled most other franchises, Belichick maintained his focus and got the very most out of his team.

Although Mike Smith, the recently named Coach of the Year, certainly deserves credit for a heart-warming turn around in Atlanta, there is no doubt that Belichick's 2008 coaching should rank among the best of all time.  Whether you like the stoic, hoodie-wearing figure who paces up and down the New England sidelines or not, no one can take away from the accomplishments of his 2008 Patriots squad.

In overcoming devastating injuries to a slew of star players to salvage the Patriots' 2008 NFL season for New England players and fans, Bill Belichick has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest coaches of all-time and earned my vote for the 2008 NFL head coach of the year.