William Stephen "Bill" Belichick (/ˈbɛlɨtʃɪk/; born April 16, 1952) is the head coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He also has extensive authority over the Patriots' football operations, effectively making him the team's general manager as well. Belichick was previously the head coach of the Cleveland Browns.Belichick's father, Steve, was a longtime college football scout and coach who worked for 34 years at the U.S. Naval Academy.