Super Bowl 49: Whose legacy will be most affected?

Apr. 2, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Detailed view of the Super Bowl champions ring on the hand of Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians during a press conference to announce the signing of quarterback Carson Palmer (not pictured) at the Cardinals practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 22, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick makes a statement regarding deflated footballs in the AFC Championship game during a press conference at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /

Where Will Bill Belichick Be Regarded Among The All Time Great Coaches?

Positive Legacy Prospects:

There is so much to say about Bill Belichick. The greatest coach of his generation. A cheater. A winner. Loser of two straight Super Bowls. Hasn’t won in ten years. A genius.

If the Patriots win Super Bowl XLIX, Bill Belichick has a real opportunity for redemption. Matching Chuck Knoll with four Super Bowl wins would cement his status as the greatest coach of the Super Bowl era. Bill Walsh was the Genius. Belichick has a career winning percentage of .662 and will become the greatest winner of the modern era.

Negative Legacy Prospects:

If Bill Belichick loses this one, he’ll be 3-3 in Super Bowls. Making it to six Super Bowls is an incredible achievement. Losing three of them is an achievement unto itself. You gotta be a damned good coach to make it to that many.

There’s a wide gulf between 4-2 and 3-3. There may not be another opportunity to hit that magical Number Four. Not making it will bring him back to the pack among Super Bowl Coaches. And the questions will linger – could he only win if he cheated?

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