Bill Belichick Wins 2011 AP Coach Of the Year

Yes, he's evil.

Yes, he's a lying, cheating sack of worm-infested fecal matter.

He's so bad he even exports his cheating ways to former assistants.

But, there is no denying that New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick did a heckuva job coaching the 2010 regular season, which is why he is the AP Coach Of The Year.

Obviously, Jets fans are a little peeved. Matt Birch at Gang Green Nation thinks Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris should have gotten the award. Maybe. But since 1997, when the AP decided to consolidate their AFC and NFC CotY awards into one grand NFL CotY award, the honor has always gone to someone who got their team to the playoffs. Like it or not, the AP voters frown on any coach who cannot get their team to the post-season, and in the case of Raheem Morris (whose 10-6 Bucs missed the tournament), not making the playoffs all but disqualified him.

Thus, the obvious candidate was Belichick.

Listen, I'm no fan of Bill's. I think he's over-rated as a 'genius' head coach, and I think his resume is skewed because of factors he, quite simply, lucked into. Tom Brady feel into his lap in the 6th round in 2000. Key players in the title runs from 2001-2004, like Ty Law, Lawyer Milloy, Tedy Bruschi, Willie McGinest, Adam Vinatieri, and Mike Vrabel, were all people brought in and coached up by Bill Parcells prior to Belichick taking the head coaching reigns.

But as much as I dislike how he conducts his business, the reality is one does not win three NFL CotY awards because he 'sucks.' For much of the 2010 regular season, the Patriots dominated. From early October to late December, the Pats beat the Ravens, Steelers, Colts, Packers, and Jets. That's impressive, especially considering two of those teams are playing in the Super Bowl.

Ole Bill deserved to win this award, and I'll admit that him getting it now, after his team up and choked against the Jets in the playoffs, kinds of makes me do a bit of a Grinch grin.