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February 1, 2008

Bill & Bill

The relationship between Bill Belichick and Bill Parcells was strained in the wake of Belichick's resignation as head coach of the Jets in 2000; Parcells, who was moving to the front office for the first time, had named Belichick as his successor. But Belichick famously decided against taking the job, scrawling a one-line note saying "I resign as HC of the NYJ."

But Belichick and Parcells have smoothed things over the in years since. The relationship, which Belichick once termed "difficult," has improved, Belichick said this morning.

"That was the way it was characterized then and I’ve spent time with Bill since then. Bill and I shared a lot of success together and I think we’ll always treasure those victories and those good times. He’s tremendous coach, he’s done a great job, he’s had a tremendous career, a Hall of Fame career and I’m sure he’ll be there at some point. Unfortunately he’s back in our division as a competitor and I totally respect him and his football ability both as a coach and an administrator and a talent evaluator. Now we’ll be competing against each other again and I’m sure it will be very challenging."

Parcells has taken over the front office in Miami; he became the head coach of the Giants in 1983, when Belichick was the linebackers coach in New York.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 3:30 PM | Permalink