NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
NFL coaching legend Jimmy Johnson was furious with the voting power that decided to keep Bill Belichick from achieving Hall of Fame status on Tuesday’s first ballot.
Belichick did not get the 40 votes needed from the 50-person panel of media members and other Hall of Famers, ESPN reported, citing sources. The reported snub sparked outrage, including from Johnson, who appeared angry on social media.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Former Miami Hurricanes head coach Jimmy Johnson celebrates after the 2025 Cotton Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinal game at AT&T Stadium on Dec. 31, 2025. (Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)
“This is just WRONG ..#2 winning ALL TIME … more Super Bowls than any unimaginable number of division championships … a lot of jealous little voices,” he wrote on X first.
“I want to know the names of the a–holes who didn’t vote for him. They’re too cowardly to identify themselves…” he continued. “PLEASE…If you didn’t vote for BB, identify yourself!!! Probably too much of a coward. Hide behind your SECRET VOTE!!!”
The Class of 2026 won’t be officially revealed until next week in the lead-up to Super Bowl LX. Belichick was among the nominees in a separate group from the modern players category, along with Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, LC Greenwood and Robert Kraft.
Belichick was “puzzled” and “disappointed” by the decision and that he wondered what more he had to do as a head coach to come in right away,” ESPN reported.
“Politics kept him out. He doesn’t believe this is a reflection of his performance,” another source told the magazine.
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick leads his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Charlotte in Charlotte, NC, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
BILL BELICHICK GOES FOR TIME TO BE FIRST-BALLOT HALL OF FAMER PULLS QUICK SETBACK
Belichick, who is currently the head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, was 302-165 in his career as a head coach between the Patriots and Cleveland Browns. He won six titles with Tom Brady as head coach of the Patriots before mutually parting ways with the franchise after the 2023 season.
He served as a defensive assistant under Bill Parcells with the New York Giants from 1979-1991. The team won two Super Bowls in that time.
He had a controversial ending with both the Browns and the New York Jets. The Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens under cover of darkness, essentially leaving the entire franchise in town. Set to take the Jets’ head coaching job, he pulled out at the last minute and decided to take the New England gig instead.
Belichick’s Patriots career wasn’t exactly sunshine and rainbows either. He was caught up in the Spygate and Deflategate scandals during his time. ESPN reported that the cheating scandals played a role in some voters’ decision about Belichick’s candidacy.
Belichick’s coaching staff appeared to be as strong as ever. The Patriots return to the Super Bowl with Mike Vrabel at the helm. Vrabel won three titles under Belichick. Josh McDaniels, another Belichick staffer, also serves as the team’s offensive coordinator.
Former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson speaks during his induction into the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor at halftime during an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 30, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
“As a HOF coach I think Bill Belichick is the greatest ever…Yes he had a great QB but so did we all. He won AFTER the salary cap and free agency plus I know how much he LOVES the NFL and the game. I’m p—ed,” Johnson added.
