Bill Belichick coached the New England Patriots for 24 seasons from 2000 to 2023, leading the franchise to six Super Bowls and 17 AFC East division titles. The Patriots played in 13 AFC Championship games, winning nine.
With success came Belichick’s harsh criticism. One former Patriots star shared a story about being brought to the verge of tears by the legendary coach’s words.
Belichick’s Brutal Coaching Style Nearly Broke Patriots Star CB Stephon Gilmore
Belichick’s words cut deep for everyone in the locker room. When delivering unfiltered criticism during film room meetings, he treated veterans and rookies similarly.
During an episode of “The Money Down Podcast,” former Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore opened up about Belichick’s coaching approach. He revealed an incident where he nearly broke down from his head coach’s harsh words.
“He killed me one day, bro. It was when I first got there. I was pressed down on the receiver. It was a bunch route. …And I got picked. Bro, he killed me the next meeting,” Gilmore said.
The five-time Pro Bowler admitted the film session went beyond standard analysis. He was torn apart for his mistake in front of the entire team.
“I almost cried, how he did me. I ain’t going to lie to you. I went to the bathroom, like, man, bro. I can tell you one thing: I ain’t never got picked again after that,” Gilmore continued.
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Former #Patriots superstar CB Stephon Gilmore says Bill Belichick called him out so badly during a team meeting that he almost cried, he told The Money Down Podcast.
“He killed me one day, bro. It was when I first got there. I was pressed down on the receiver.… pic.twitter.com/kCTZWQ0o5t
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) July 4, 2025
How Belichick’s Tough Love Created a Defensive Player of the Year
Gilmore was selected 10th overall by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. After spending five years in Buffalo, he joined the Patriots in 2017, bringing veteran experience to New England’s secondary.
His first season with the Patriots showed promise. Gilmore recorded 50 combined tackles in 2017, his second-highest total at that point in his career. The adjustment to Belichick’s system and expectations took time.
The following season proved transformative. Gilmore’s combined tackles dropped to 45, but he defended a career-high 20 passes as the Patriots won Super Bowl LIII. This performance marked the beginning of his dominant stretch in New England.
Gilmore reached his peak in 2019. He again defended 20 passes, matching his previous season’s record. More importantly, he recorded a career-high six interceptions and 53 combined tackles. These numbers earned him the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, making him the fourth cornerback to win the honor since 1971.
The cornerback’s success with New England was remarkable. Gilmore earned Pro Bowl honors three times with the Patriots (2018, 2019, 2020) and First-team All-Pro honors twice (2018, 2019). His five total Pro Bowl selections include three during his four seasons in New England.
After his tenure with the Patriots, Gilmore continued his career with several teams. He had stints with the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, and Minnesota Vikings, bringing his veteran leadership to each organization.
Belichick’s methods pushed players to reach their potential. He knew exactly what he wanted from his players and delivered his message without sugar-coating. Gilmore’s transformation from a player who was nearly brought to tears to Defensive Player of the Year proves the legendary coach had a clear strategy behind his tough approach to player development.