Before becoming one of the greatest NFL coaches of all time, Bill Belichick was a lacrosse team captain at Wesleyan University. So yeah, we were right — his heart doesn’t just beat for football. Lacrosse still holds a special place.
If things had gone differently, maybe the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach would’ve pursued a career in lacrosse instead. He often favors athletes with lacrosse backgrounds when recruiting. While plenty of coaches lean toward wrestlers, Belichick sees something unique in players who’ve mastered the fast, agile nature of lacrosse.
But until recently, he hadn’t really come out and said it. Now, he’s finally opened up about everything — from playing and captaining the sport to why he still recruits from it.
Bill Belichick Opens Up About His Lacrosse Roots and Why He Still Recruits From It
Belichick recently spoke about his love for lacrosse on the College GameDay Podcast, saying, “It’s a great sport. It’s a lot of speed, it’s a lot of skill with the stick, and it’s contact. You get into some strategy, man-up, man-down situation, stuff like that. So it’s a great combination of skills, and it’s a lot of fun to play.”
Belichick’s connection to lacrosse runs deep. It’s in the family. His daughter, Amanda, coached at the College of the Holy Cross. His sons, Stephen and Brian, played at Rutgers and Trinity College.
In an interview with CNBC, Belichick also talked about key leadership skills like communication, quick decision-making and managing big personalities. He says he started learning all that while captaining his lacrosse team.
It’s a fast-paced sport that demands quick thinking, sharp reactions and the ability to read plays on the fly — the exact kind of strategy Belichick has mastered in football.
“Tom Brady would play goalie in lacrosse” – Bill Belichickpic.twitter.com/3trNtsLxde
— Patriots Nation 2 𝕏 (@Jordanems) June 3, 2019
That’s why it’s no surprise he often targets players with lacrosse backgrounds. He believes their footwork, vision and coordination make them ideal football athletes.
Belichick’s views do go against the grain. Some college football coaches — like Hall of Fame coach Tom Osborne — have always favored wrestling experience. Osborne once said, “Wrestlers make coaching football easy. They have balance, coordination, and as a coaching staff, we know they’re tough.”
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Still, it’s hard to question Belichick’s philosophy. He’s won six Super Bowls — a rare feat in the football world. The guy knows how to run a team and manage a locker room.
Lately, though, the spotlight has shifted from his playbook to his personal life, especially his relationship with girlfriend Jordan Hudson, which some view as a good sign heading into the new season.
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