Bill Belichick Quotes

We cannot try to play in a manner that does not correspond to our players' characteristics.

I think you have to be more flexible to be a pro coach because once you pay the guy the money, whether he can backpedal the way you want him to or whatever, his style of play may not suit you, but you still are going to play him, and he is going to be a part of your team.

To say we have to play a certain way, or try to, every game is great in theory, but depending what players you have got you have to play to their strengths and cover up their weaknesses.

Explaining why he was forced to cut a utility player: You just got caught in a position where you have no position.

Players have to buy into your system and be willing to accept the role, you, as the coach, have assigned to them

You could have a player that gave you some iffiness but his talent would make a real contribution, but you had to have an overwhelming base of players so you know exactly what you had.

You need good fitness from the players and the organisational structure has to be there from early on in pre-season because the games come so quickly that you don't have much time on the grass with the players to shuffle the pack tactically.

It's not always the fault of the manager when a player is not performing well, I can tell you.

Bad performances can happen and are not that serious - even with new players. You can't, say, sell him, get a new one.

I think coaches are very much guilty of trying to implement players into their schemes as opposed as trying to fit schemes into players. That's the thing that can separate good coaches from bad.

I have a lot of admiration for those who build tactical systems, but I always thought the most important thing a good coach must do is build the team around the characteristics of his players.

You don't know a player until you coach him.

For me, the goal is to make the most of each player, play them in the position they feel best in. And then repeat, repeat, repeat.

Even the greatest players accept coaching and value the need for discipline and the order that it brings to the team

It's not that you're not smart anymore; it's that you're unwilling to do it. Coaches who coach know what I'm talking about. You just keep battling to help your coaches and your players, to refine your scheme, to break down your opponent, to find ways to travel and take care of your players.

It's easy to get good players. Getting them to play together, that's the hard part.

Selfishness is the greatest challenge for a coach. Most players are more concerned with making themselves better than the team.

[Being a coach] is totally different, but I have a new level of respect for coaching that I didn't as a player. So much is expected of you and from your team. Everything falls on your shoulders.

One thing I think you have to do here at Wisconsin is maximize your personnel. From the standpoint of getting our best players out there, you've really got to make sure you're not burying anybody at a position.

You put together the best team that you can with the players you've got, and replace those who aren't good enough.

I just realized how bad it is when you're not in charge and you're a head coach.

If you managed a baseball team, would you listen more closely to the team accountant or the director of player personnel?

You've got to avoid overcoaching. You've got to avoid talking too much. You've got to avoid showing players that you're the boss every time. You don't have to do that. They know you're in charge.

The dollar that's being paid the players has hurt the game. The players take advantage of coaches. The players' attitude is, "I make more than you, so don't tell me what to do."

The focus should be on the players. I'm here a long time. You can call me in the summer. Our seniors will be gone.