If you’ve spent any time watching NFL sidelines over the last two decades, you know the Belichick "look." The hoodie. The grimace. The obsessive attention to detail. But while Bill's sons, Steve and Brian, have followed him directly into the family business of coaching football—both of them now serving as top defensive coaches at the University of North Carolina under their father—the oldest sibling, Amanda, took a slightly different path.
She isn't breaking down film of the Tampa 2 defense or scouting wide receivers. Honestly, she isn't even in the NFL.
Amanda Belichick is currently the head coach of the women’s lacrosse team at the College of the Holy Cross. She’s been there since 2015. In a family where "coaching" is practically the only career option on the table, she decided to stay in the world of lacrosse, a sport that is arguably as central to the Belichick DNA as football ever was. Remember, Bill played lacrosse at Wesleyan, and all three of his kids followed suit.
The Grind at Holy Cross
It’s easy to look at a famous last name and assume things were just handed over. But if you look at how Amanda has handled the Crusaders program in Worcester, Massachusetts, it’s clear she’s doing it her own way. As of 2026, she is in her 11th season at the helm. That’s a lifetime in college sports.
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She didn't just walk into a powerhouse. When she arrived, Holy Cross wasn't exactly a national title contender. She spent years building a culture that emphasizes more than just the scoreboard. In 2024, she was named the Patriot League Coach of the Year. Her team went 12-6 that year, breaking school records for goals, points, and assists.
She’s basically the architect of the modern Holy Cross lacrosse era.
What’s interesting is how her coaching philosophy mirrors her dad's in terms of preparation, but diverges when it comes to the "vibe." She often talks about "playing fearless" and building confidence in young women. It’s less about the fear of a mistake and more about the empowerment of the athlete.
Her Path to the Top
Coaching wasn't actually the plan from day one. Amanda graduated from Wesleyan in 2007 with a degree in history. She actually considered going into advertising or marketing.
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Basically, she wanted to see if there was a world outside the whistle and the clipboard.
But the pull of the field was too strong. She started as a head coach at Choate Rosemary Hall, a high-end prep school in Connecticut. Then she jumped into the college ranks:
- UMass: Assistant coach (helped them win an A-10 title).
- Ohio State: Three seasons as an assistant and recruiting coordinator.
- Wesleyan: Returned to her alma mater as head coach for two years, taking them from a #49 ranking to #17.
- Holy Cross: Named head coach in 2015 and hasn't looked back.
A National Influence
Beyond just coaching her own team, Amanda is a big deal in the governance of the sport. As of mid-2025, she was elected to the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Board of Directors.
She isn't just coaching games; she’s helping write the rules.
She chairs the IWLCA’s Rules, Safety and Game Administration committee. This means when there are changes to how the game is played or how player safety is handled at the NCAA level, she’s usually in the room where those decisions happen. It’s a level of institutional influence that proves she’s not just "Bill’s daughter"—she’s a power player in her own right.
Why the "Belichick" Brand Matters
People always ask if her dad helps out. The short answer? Yeah, kinda.
Bill has been spotted at Holy Cross games wearing the purple gear, looking like any other proud (if slightly more famous) parent. Amanda has mentioned in interviews that while she didn't set out to follow him, the lessons of leadership—how to talk to a team, how to handle a loss, how to scout an opponent—are universal.
They talk shop. Of course they do. But she isn't running a mini-Patriots camp in Worcester. She’s built a program that focuses heavily on academics, too. Under her watch, the Crusaders have consistently been named an Academic Honor Squad.
What’s Next for Amanda?
With her recent contract extension keeping her at Holy Cross through 2027, she’s clearly committed to the program she’s built. While her brothers are busy trying to turn around the North Carolina Tar Heels football defense, Amanda is focused on maintaining Holy Cross as a top-tier Patriot League threat.
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If you’re looking to follow her progress or understand the "other" Belichick coaching legacy, here are the best ways to keep up:
- Watch the Patriot League: Holy Cross games are frequently streamed on ESPN+.
- Check the IWLCA Updates: If you're a lacrosse nerd, her work on the Rules and Safety committee is where the future of the game is being shaped.
- Follow Holy Cross Athletics: They are incredibly active in documenting the team’s "micro-moments" on social media.
Amanda Belichick has managed to do the hardest thing possible for the child of a legend: she found a way to be exactly like him while being nothing like him at all. She’s a coach, a leader, and a strategist—but she’s doing it on her own turf, with her own rules.
To see her coaching style in action, you can follow the Holy Cross women's lacrosse schedule through the 2026 season on the official Holy Cross Athletics website.