Do you believe in miracles? Unfazed by a rash of injuries and a lack of superstars, Bill Belichick lifted the Patriots higher than anyone could have possibly expected

Football Digest, Spring, 2004 by Jeff Goodman

The 2003 season offered conclusive proof that Belichick has mastered the tricky business of winning football games.

More Notables

HERE ARE OUR OTHER AWARD WINNERS from the 2003 season:

ROOKIE COACH OF THE YEAR

Marvin Lewis, Bengals. In just his first year on the job, Lewis accomplished what the previous three Bengals head coaches couldn't: He created a winning atmosphere. When the former defensive coordinator was hired last winter, he said, "My challenge is to put a product on the field that everyone in Cincinnati wants to see." And what a challenge that was--the Bengals hadn't had a winning season since 1990. But Lewis immediately Drought discipline to the team and eliminated the me-first attitude that had poisoned the Bengals lot so long. By November. the Bengals hit their stride. They wound up contending for a playoff berth up until the last week of the season and finished with a promising 8-8 record.

ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR

Mike Nolan, defensive coordinator, Ravens. After coaching Baltimore's wide receivers in 2002. Nolan was MARVELOUS shifted to defensive coordinator in '03 a position he previously had held with the New York Jets. Washington Redskins, and New York Giants. Nolan's first order of business was to switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 alignment. After that, the defense regained its status as one of the league's best, playing with an intensity reminiscent of the team's Super Bowl-winning 2000 season when Marvin Lewis was calling the shots. The defense tied for first in the league in takeaways with 41 and was third in yards allowed.

EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

Jerry Jones, owner, Cowboys. Credit the notoriously headstrong owner for finally doing what was right. After parting ways with coach Jimmy Johnson following Dallas' second straight Super Bowl victory in 1993, Jones thought he alone could keep the Cowboys on top, and he immersed himself in the football side of the business. The results were disastrous: The Cowboys steadily sank to the bottom of the standings. Last winter. though, be wisely stepped back and turned the X's and O's over to Bill Parcells. Coaxing Parcells out of retirement was a brilliant move on Jones' part. The coach immediately reversed Dallas' fortunes, leading the team to the NFC East title following three consecutive 5-11 seasons.

FOOTBALL DIGEST'S Coaches of the Year

Year   Player, position       Team

2003   Bill Belichick         New England Patriots
2002   Jeff Fisher            Tennessee Titans
2001   Dick Jauron            Chicago Bears
2000   Andy Reid              Philadelphia Eagles
1999   Dick Vermeil           St. Louis Rams
1998   Dan Reeves             Atlanta Falcons
1997   Marty Schottenheimer   Kansas City Chiefs
1996   Dom Capers             Carolina Panthers
1995   Ray Rhodes             Philadelphia Eagles
1994   Bill Parcells          New England Patriots
1993   Dan Reeves             New York Giants
1992   Bobby Ross             San Diego Chargers
1991   Jimmy Johnson          Dallas Cowboys
1990   Don Shula              Miami Dolphins
1989   Lindy Infante          Green Bay Packers
1988   Mike Ditka             Chicago Bears
1987   Jim Mora               New Orleans Saints
1986   Bill Parcells          New York Giants
1985   Mike Ditka             Chicago Bears
1984   Chuck Knox             Seattle Seahawks
1983   Joe Gibbs              Washington Redskins
1982   Joe Gibbs              Washington Redskins
1981   Bill Walsh             San Francisco 49ers
1980   Chuck Knox             Buffalo Bills
1979   Dick Vermeil           Philadelphia Eagles
1978   Walt Michaels          New York Jets
1977   Red Miller             Denver Broncos
1976   Chuck Fairbanks        New England Patriots
1975   Ted Marchibroda        Baltimore Colts
1974   Don Coryell            St. Louis Cardinals

FOLLOW THE LEADER Belichick's mentor, Parcells,
also was Coach of the Year with the Patriots.