“You know, Bill just knew the right buttons to push with everybody.” In an episode of The Money Down Podcast, former Patriots running back Damien Harris opened up about his experiences with legendary head coach Bill Belichick. In the episode, he recounted some memorable stories that highlighted Belichick’s unique methods for pushing his players to their limits. While Harris’s tone was appreciative, this came just days after he had criticized Belichick.

Harris’s initial criticism came during an appearance on The Athletic Football Show, where he blamed Belichick’s handling for the downfall of QB Mac Jones. However, this was drastically different from what Harris said on Money Down, where he clearly had a positive perspective about Belichick.

Reflecting on Damien Harris’s opinion

On June 29th, during The Money Down Podcast, James White asked Damien Harris for a memorable story about Belichick. Harris shared an incident where Belichick, known for his intense and sometimes harsh coaching style, used Rhamondre Stevenson to motivate him. “Rhamondre this, Rhamondre that,” Belichick would say, pushing Harris to outperform his teammate. Despite the pressure, Harris had a strong bond with Stevenson, using Belichick’s provocations as motivation to improve his game. In fact, Harris recounted a specific incident where Belichick, in front of the entire team, compared Harris’s slip during a game to Stevenson’s flawless practice play. “Bill Petty, bro,” White remarked, acknowledging the funny but tactical nature of Belichick’s criticisms. Harris admitted that these tactics drove him to perform better, crediting Belichick’s “sick twisted ways” for the team’s success. Harris stated, “If not greater than, you know, the figure that Nick Saban is at Alabama, Bill Belichick is the mecca, he is the omega,” further solidifying Bill’s legacy.

Both coaches have gained a reputation for their demanding coaching styles and their ability to bring out the best in their players. Saban has mentioned, “Bill was the first person that I was ever around professionally that paid such close attention to detail.”

Although Damien Harris sang Belichick’s praise on Money Down, he still did have the courage to criticize Bill too. Back on June 7th, during The Athletic Football Show, Harris had expressed a different sentiment, criticizing Belichick’s management decisions. He argued that the mishandling of Mac Jones was a significant factor in the quarterback’s downfall. Harris blamed Belichick for replacing offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. “What happened to Mac Jones in New England, was not because of Mac Jones,” Harris stated, attributing the team’s struggles to Belichick’s rigid control and refusal to adapt.

What actually went wrong?

Over time, the relationship between Bill Belichick and Mac Jones deteriorated significantly. Troubles began in 2022 when Belichick replaced offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels with Matt Patricia, a defensive coach with little experience on offense. This move raised eyebrows and led to a dysfunctional offense, frustrating Jones. The lack of effective offensive leadership was evident as the Patriots struggled to perform, leading to Jones seeking outside help, which reportedly angered Belichick.

By Week 12 of the 2023 season, the situation had worsened to the point where Belichick stopped speaking to Jones, leading to a tense and uncomfortable environment. Jones’s performance declined, leading to multiple benching and a significant drop in his quarterback rating and effectiveness. His perceived lack of leadership and mental resilience, contributing to the overall struggles of the Patriots’ offense, intensified the tension between the two.

Mark Daniels highlighted the conflict by quoting a patriot insider stating, “It’s a broken relationship” and emphasizing the communication breakdown that severely impacted Jones’s development. However, back in January 2024, Mac Jones was seen praising Belichick with a sweet post on his Instagram. “I am grateful to have played for and learned from such a legendary coach. Coach Belichick has impacted me and so many other players,” Mac wrote. Belichick’s approach has not only shaped the careers of players like Harris but also left a significant mark on the NFL. And as Harris commented, “It’s Belichick’s way“, with both achievements and criticisms shaping Bill’s career.