You know the image. Bill Belichick on a freezing sideline, hoodie sleeves hacked off, face set in a permanent scowl that suggests he’s currently calculating the exact wind resistance of a spiraling football. He is the ultimate "football guy." A man who seemingly eats, sleeps, and breathes defensive schemes.
But does Bill Belichick have any children?
Honestly, it’s one of those things fans realize they don't actually know once the game ends and the cameras stop rolling. We see him as this robotic figure of pure strategy, yet there’s a whole other side to the man. He isn't just a six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach; he’s a father of three. And if you think the "Belichick Way" stops at the stadium gates, you’re dead wrong. The kids didn't just inherit his DNA; they basically inherited his entire playbook.
Meet the Belichick Trio: Amanda, Steve, and Brian
Belichick shares his three adult children—Amanda, Stephen (Steve), and Brian—with his ex-wife, Debby Clarke Belichick. They were married for nearly three decades before splitting in 2006.
What’s wild is that every single one of them went into coaching. It’s like the family business, but instead of a bakery or a law firm, they specialize in breaking down film and screaming at refs. You’ve probably seen the boys on the Patriots' sidelines for years, but the family tree has recently moved south.
Amanda Belichick: Carving Her Own Path
Amanda is the eldest, born in 1984. While her brothers stuck to the gridiron, Amanda took the family's competitive fire to the lacrosse field. She’s currently the head coach of the women’s lacrosse team at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.
🔗 Read more: Men's Sophie Cunningham Jersey: Why This Specific Kit is Selling Out Everywhere
She’s been there for over a decade now. In 2024, she was even named the Patriot League Coach of the Year. It’s funny because she once told reporters her intention was never to follow her dad's footsteps. But here we are. She’s a Division I head coach with multiple winning seasons under her belt. Kinda runs in the blood, I guess.
Steve Belichick: The Face of the Next Generation
Steve is the middle child (born 1987) and probably the most recognizable. If you watched the Patriots between 2012 and 2023, you saw him. He’s the one who often had the same intense, focused expression as his dad—and occasionally, some truly legendary "game faces" that went viral on social media.
Steve played lacrosse at Rutgers but switched to football as a long snapper for his senior year. After graduation, he jumped straight into the Patriots' coaching staff. He wasn't just there for show, either. He eventually took over defensive play-calling duties.
As of early 2026, Steve has made a massive move. He is currently the Defensive Coordinator for the North Carolina Tar Heels. And yeah, he’s working right alongside his dad, who took the head coaching job there in 2025.
Brian Belichick: The Youngest Defensive Specialist
Then there’s Brian, the youngest. Like the rest of the clan, he played lacrosse (Trinity College) before realizing the siren call of football was too loud to ignore. He joined the Patriots in 2016, starting at the bottom as a scouting assistant and working his way up to safeties coach.
💡 You might also like: Why Netball Girls Sri Lanka Are Quietly Dominating Asian Sports
When the Belichick era ended in New England, Brian didn't stay behind. He followed his father and brother to Chapel Hill. He’s now the defensive backs and safeties coach for UNC.
The "Family Business" at North Carolina
It’s actually pretty crazy if you think about it. Most people expected Bill to take another NFL job to chase Don Shula’s win record. Instead, he’s basically turned the University of North Carolina into a family compound.
- Bill Belichick: Head Coach.
- Steve Belichick: Defensive Coordinator (and the highest-paid assistant in school history, which caused a bit of a stir with the Board of Trustees).
- Brian Belichick: Coaching the secondary.
It’s the ultimate "bring your kids to work" situation, except work involves $12 million staff payrolls and ACC championship aspirations.
Is Bill Belichick a Grandfather?
Yep. The coaching tree is growing. Steve Belichick and his wife, Jennifer Schmitt, have four kids: Blakely, Hayes, Quincy, and Rocco. Amanda also has two children with her husband, AJ.
Bill might look like a guy who would trade his soul for a perfect goal-line stand, but he’s actually been quite vocal about his excitement for his grandkids. Back in 2018, he famously told the media he "couldn't be more excited" about a new addition to the family. It’s a rare glimpse into the "Soft Bill" that the public almost never sees.
📖 Related: Why Cumberland Valley Boys Basketball Dominates the Mid-Penn (and What’s Next)
The Drama and the New Relationship
Life isn't all X's and O's, though. Lately, the Belichick family has been in the headlines for things other than football. Since 2024, Bill has been public with his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson.
The age gap—she’s in her 20s, he’s in his 70s—has definitely raised some eyebrows. There have been reports (take 'em with a grain of salt, but People Magazine is usually on the money) that his kids have had some "hesitations" about the relationship. Steve’s wife even reportedly had a bit of a social media moment defending Bill during an interview where Jordon was present.
Families are messy. Even when your dad is a legendary genius, things get complicated when a new person enters the mix, especially with such a massive age difference. But despite the tabloid fodder, the kids seem focused on the mission at hand in North Carolina.
Why This Matters for Football Fans
Most people assume Bill Belichick is a loner who lives in a dark room watching 1950s Navy film. Knowing he has this tight-knit group of children—all of whom have chosen to dedicate their lives to the same grueling profession—changes the narrative.
It tells you that despite the "grumpy" persona, his kids actually like what he does. They respect it enough to do it themselves. Steve has gone on record calling his dad his "idol." You don't say that if the guy is a nightmare at home.
Key Takeaways for the Belichick Curious
If you’re keeping track of the Belichick dynasty, here is what you actually need to know:
- Total Kids: Three. Amanda, Steve, and Brian.
- The Career Path: All three are professional coaches. Amanda in college lacrosse; Steve and Brian in college football (formerly NFL).
- Current Status: Bill, Steve, and Brian are all currently coaching at the University of North Carolina for the 2026 season.
- The Next Step: Keep an eye on the UNC defense this year. With Steve calling the plays and Brian handling the secondary under Bill’s watchful eye, the "Belichick Defense" is officially a collegiate experiment. If you want to see how the kids handle the pressure of the family name, watching a Saturday afternoon Tar Heels game is your best bet.
The "Belichick Way" isn't dead; it’s just relocated to Chapel Hill, and it's more of a family affair than ever before.