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Early Review of Bill Belichick's 'The Art of Winning' Reveals Several Notable Omissions

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt De Lima | Last updated Apr 10, 2025 3:02 PM ET

In January, North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick announced he would soon publish a book, "The Art of Winning: Lessons From My Life in Football."

The nearly 300-page book is scheduled for release on May 6, but selected media were given advanced copies to review. The Boston Globe's Ben Volin detailed what to expect and not expect from Belichick's literary foray.

"What it is is exactly what the title says — a vehicle for Belichick to share his thoughts on leadership and team-building ... What it isn’t is a tell-all book."

It shouldn't come as a surprise that Belichick, known for his terse press conferences and icy sideline demeanor, wouldn't peel back the many layers of mystery and controversy surrounding his time with the New England Patriots.

Bill Belichick has his first book coming out. Once you accept that it won’t deliver the goods — no mention of the Krafts, benching Malcolm Butler or other various scandals — it’s a fun, instructive readhttps://t.co/OSvqiIj3sw
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) April 9, 2025

Volin notes that there aren't any revelations about Belichick's decision to bench Malcolm Butler in Super Bowl 52, Spygate or Deflategate. Belichick also does not talk about Tom Brady in a "Brady vs. Belichick" sense but does share several positive, "laugh-out-loud" stories involving his former quarterback.

Robert Kraft and Aaron Hernandez are also not discussed in the book.

"Belichick reveals the principles he developed over 49 years of coaching in the NFL," writes Volin. "Though some are a little clichéd or well-worn. Look for excellence in the margins. Practice execution becomes game reality. Team, teammate, self — that one’s adapted from the Naval Academy."

Much of the book is dedicated to celebrating the relationships built with players, coaches, colleagues and mentors like Brady, Lawrence Taylor, Bill Parcells and others.

"The Art of Winning: Lessons From My Life in Football" is published by Avid Read Press, a division of Simon & Schuster.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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