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In a move that was long overdue, the Patriots are inducting legendary coach and NFL Hall of Famer Bill Parcells into the team’s Hall of Fame as a contributor. Owner Robert Kraft made the announcement this morning at the NFL Owners Meetings in Palm Beach, Florida. The Patriots Hall of Fame committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday.
Kraft said he personally called Parcells to tell him that he would like to induct him into the Patriots Hall of Fame and that Parcells accepted the invite.
Parcells was hired in 1993 by then owner James Busch Orthwein. He had retired from coaching after leading the New York Giants to Super Bowl victories in 1987 and 1991. After a brief stint in television, he returned to coaching where he was tasked with turning around the worst franchise in the NFL. The Patriots had the number one pick in the NFL Draft and took quarterback Drew Bledsoe out of Washington State. From there Parcells would add future dynasty building blocks Ty Law, Willie McGinest, Ted Johnson, Troy Brown, Tedy Bruschi and Adam Vinatieri.
Kraft bought the Patriots in 1994 and inherited Parcells. The relationship was fine at first but it got frosty as time went on and Parcells left the Patriots after leading them to Super Bowl XXXI, a 35-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Parcells had been working behind the scenes to leave the Patriots for the rival New York Jets. He famously said in his final press conference “They want you to cook the dinner, at least they ought to let you shop for some of the groceries.” eluding to the fact that he did not have total control over the roster.
Kraft and Parcells were not on speaking terms for a long time but in recent years, the tension between them started to ease. Kraft applauded Parcells for his contributions to the Patriots in a statement.
“In the early 1990s, the Patriots were in disarray,” said Kraft. “But the hiring of Bill Parcells in 1993, a two-time Super Bowl Champion, brought instant credibility to the franchise. We had never had a head coach with his credentials. He was a master motivator and always got the most out of his players. In my first season as owner, he led us on that unforgettable seven-game win streak to qualify for the playoffs. Two years later, he accomplished something Patriots fans had never seen before, leading us to our first two home playoff wins in franchise history, and another trip to the Super Bowl. Those are memories I will never forget and achievements worthy of this honor. As a five-time finalist for our hall of fame, I am sure he would have been voted in eventually, but I wanted to expedite the process so he can enjoy the ceremony. I look forward to welcoming Bill back to Foxborough and celebrating his induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame.”
Parcells was the head coach of the New England Patriots for four seasons (1993-96) and led the team to two playoff berths. After inheriting a team that had finished 14-50 in the previous four years, including an NFL worst 2-14 season in 1992 and 1-15 season in 1990.
In 1994, a season-closing seven-game win streak allowed the Patriots to clinch their first playoff berth in eight years. The performance earned Parcells NFL Coach of the Year honors. After finishing 6-10 in 1995, the Patriots rebounded with an 11-win season in 1996, tying the then franchise record for wins and earning their first division title in 10 years. After a 28-3, victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the divisional playoff game, the Patriots hosted their first AFC Championship game and defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars, 20-6, to earn a trip to the Super Bowl for just the second time in franchise history.
Parcells was nominated for the Patriots Hall of Fame five times (2011, 2012, 2014, 2020 and 2023) by the nomination committee. On Feb. 2, 2013, Parcells was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He is the only coach in NFL history to ever lead four different teams to the playoffs and three different teams to a conference championship game. He is a member of the Patriots 1990s All-Decade Team.
Parcells induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame is long overdue. It is about time he is getting in. He changed pro football in New England forever and turned the Patriots into a respectable organization. He laid the foundation for future success. I speak for everyone in my generation when I say thank you to Mr. Kraft for making this happen.