The tension between Eric Mangini and Bill Belichick nearly erupted into a physical fight between the coaches, according to a new book.
ESPN’s Seth Wickersham unpacks the brilliance and drama behind the Patriots dynasty in his new book, “It’s Better to be Feared”, which included a run-in at the 2008 league meetings.
The book, according to an excerpt tweeted out by NESN’s Zack Cox, details the scene as such:
After a dinner for head coaches, Julie Mangini, wife of Eric, bumped into Belichick and said hi, trying to ease tension after the post-Spygate fallout. Belichick blew her off, and when she told Eric what had happened, he charged across the room and needed to be held back by other coaches from swinging at Belichick. Hey Bill, f—k you!” Mangini yelled,
Mangini defied Belichick’s wishes by leaving the Patriots staff after five years to become head coach of the rival Jets after the 2005 season. Mangini then complained to league officials in 2007 that the Patriots were illegally filming the team’s defensive signals during a September game.
That complaint turned into the Spygate scandal that put a black mark on Belichick’s reputation.
Mangini would be fired by the Jets after the 2008 season when the team collapsed and missed the playoffs after an 8-3 start.