This day in NY sports history

THIS DAY IN NY SPORTS HISTORY

Tuesday, Feb. 4, 1997

Jets hire Belichick as head coach

The Jets announced the hiring of Bill Belichick as head coach for the 1997 season with his former boss, Bill Parcells, to serve as an adviser until his contractual obligations with the Patriots expired. The Jets tried to clear Parcells to coach for them with an offer to New England of $1 million and a package of draft picks, but the Patriots insisted on getting the Jets' first-rounder that season (No. 1 overall). The NFL eventually intervened and ruled that Parcells could coach the Jets in exchange for four draft picks, including the Jets' first-rounder in '99 (the Patriots used it to select linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer). Belichick became the Jets' defensive coordinator/assistant head coach.