Bill Belichick may have to settle for a second-ballot Hall of Fame berth.
The legendary football coach is one of five coaches that have advanced in the process to potentially be included in the 2027 Hall of Fame class, the governing body announced Thursday.
Belichick famously did not make the cut last year despite being arguably the greatest football coach ever, which led to some changes in the voting process.
The current North Carolina coach, along with former Giants coaches Tom Coughlin and Dan Reeves, former Packers coach Mike Holmgren and former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan advanced from a group of 14, and the coaching subcomitee will meet Nov. 17 to choose one candidate to be presented in front of the full voting committee to be included in the 2027 class.
Belichick advanced in 2026 to be placed in front of the committee, but did not meet the 40-vote cutoff from the group of 50 to be enshrined in Canton, Ohio.
He is seeking to become the first coach inducted since Don Coryell in 2023, and the Hall of Fame notes that between three to seven members will be inducted this year.
Belichick’s snub last year drew plenty of criticism, and it left him “puzzled” and “disappointed,” according to ESPN.
The 74-year-old won six Super Bowls leading the Patriots, plus two as a Giants defensive coordinator, and won 302 regular-season games in 29 seasons, third-most in NFL history.
“Six Super Bowls isn’t enough?” Belichick asked an associate, according to ESPN.
“What does a guy have to do?”
The Hall of Fame announced last September notable changes to the process that coincided with Belichick’s snub and a multiyear review of its process.
The group of voters is being sliced from 50 to 28, along with changes to the presenters for each candidate and an in-person voting system after remote setups.
“The Hall of Fame’s selection process has always been guided by integrity, thoughtful deliberation and a commitment to honoring those most deserving of football’s highest individual honor,” Hall of Fame president and CEO Jim Porter said in a release in September. “We believe these changes both augment what has worked well while addressing opportunities to further strengthen a tradition that means so much to the game and everyone who loves it.”
