The NFL’s Coach of the Year award does not necessarily honor the best head coach in football, but the one who has been able to direct the biggest one-season turnaround. This methodology used by the voters makes it near impossible for Bill Belichick to win the trophy.
Thus far, the top coach in football has earned the award just three times. For comparison, Ron Rivera has won it twice. Belichick’s dynasty-era New England Patriots were simply too dominant to qualify him for realistic contention unless the team accomplished something historic — like going 16-0 — or no other candidate emerged.