Mutual admiration society for Belichick

Aug 18, 2017 - 4:06 AM WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- Jimmy Johnson knows a little something about building a powerhouse NFL franchise, as he did in Dallas in the early 1990s. Through his longtime friendship with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, Johnson has probably had some influence on the dynasty that shows little sign of slowing down these days in New England.

When the two met decades ago at the Kentucky Derby, no one could have predicted where Belichick would ascend to in the world of football. But his spot, according to Johnson, is quite clear.

"He's the best ever, and I made that statement before the (Super Bowl), but I also made that statement a year ago and two years ago," Johnson told Patriots.com recently. "It's not something I just recently decided. Having watched Bill over the years, it goes all the way back to Cleveland, when we first met and built a relationship.

"He covers all the bases. He's very thorough. He approaches the job in a way that every coach should envy. And one thing about his teams, they're always better prepared than their opponents. And that's because of him."

Like Belichick, Johnson oversaw both coaching and personnel in his time in Dallas and later with the Dolphins. It's an almost infinitely demanding responsibility that generally is too much for those who are even given the chance to wear both hats.

"The job is almost overwhelming, and obviously you've got to have the right kind of people assisting you and helping you do it the right way," Johnson said. "And Bill does. But there's very few in the NFL, and very few that's been in the NFL who can do all the jobs that he does.

"I'll just say one more thing about Bill Belichick: He's the best."

Belichick had a couple of his coaching friends from other sports on hand as guests during the joint practice action with the Texans. That included former Major League Baseball manager Tony La Russa and former Indiana University men's basketball coach Tom Crean.

"When we're together, I'm asking the questions, he's talking, and I'm taking notes. He's not taking my notes," LaRussa said with a chuckle before highlighting what he sees as the strength of his pal's coaching style.

"I believe his ability and his staff's ability, and his team's ability to start at zero every year - refuse to think about last year - is an important part of why they are so consistent. It's easy to celebrate the next year. The ability to turn the clock to zero is really impressive and very hard."

"My relationship with Tony has been great," Belichick said. "I've learned a lot from somebody as accomplished as he is in another sport. I'll never forget the time he let me get in the dugout with him for an exhibition game. Baseball - it seems like just throw it and hit it, but there's a lot more to it than that. I saw just how much there is on every single pitch and the focus, concentration, all of that."

Crean offered up his observations about Belichick, the coach and the person.

"Everything matters every day," Crean said. "As simple as that sounds, it's very complex and hard because there are so many things that can distract, that can interrupt that, can get in the way of it. When I think of fundamentals, and preaching the fundamentals and details on a day-to-day basis - and then watching it come out in his team - that's one place you're going to look. He leaves nothing to chance. It would be hard to imagine something missing his radar or the people that are around him.

"He's been very, very good to me, very helpful," added Crean. "I think that's one of the reasons he's such a great leader, great developer of teams, programs, players. He's always inquisitive. You can get an idea of how great he is with his team because of the way he helps his friends."

"Again, different sport," Belichick said of his kinship with Crean, "but I learned a lot from his organization ... Different motivations, teachings, he is a very progressive guy ... We speak pretty frequently."