Belichick and Newsome are the best head coach and best general manager in the NFL, according to an SI.com canvassing of league general managers.
A dozen GMs participated in the poll, in which they were promised anonymity and could not vote for anyone on their own teams.
Belichick received nine of the 12 votes cast for best coach. Jeff Fisher of the Rams, Tom Coughlin of the Giants and Harbaugh each received one vote.
“He can coach the offense, he can coach the defense, he can coach his own coaches,” one GM said of Belichick. “He’s the outstanding coach of his time.”
“Is there any debate about it?” asked another GM “Always prepared. Has reinvented that team several times and competed for a championship after every reinvention. There is nobody better.”
“We all have our trials and tribulations, but I don’t think there’s anyone who matches him in terms of matching personnel and scheme,” added a third GM “His ability to stay calm in the heat of fire is impressive in this league.”