Bill Belichick is known as one of the most successful coaches in the history of the NFL, and the New England Patriots coach spoke about his mindset that led him to where he is today. 

In an exclusive interview with The 33rd Team's Mike Tannenbaum, Belichick walked down memory lane, recalling the start of his career with the Indianapolis (Formerly Baltimore) Colts organization. 

And he wasn't shy about how much he made when working with the Colts. 

The answer: nothing. 

"I couldn't have been happier. It was the break of a lifetime too, being employed by coach (Ted) Marchibroda and the Colts," Belichick said. "And then I got that big raise to $25 a week in training camp, but it was all really about the experience." 

Belichick began as a special assistant for the Colts in 1975 where he remained for a year before joining the Detroit Lions as their assistant special teams coach. Across his three seasons with the Lions, Belichick also worked with the receivers and became a defensive assistant. 

Belichick doesn't regret a single thing he did to get to where he is now. 

"That's really a good quality when you invest in yourself like that, then it has a way of paying off. So I've always kind of liked to promote from within. I like for people to come in, establish themselves, establish their work ethic, gain respect in the building for the other coaches and players that see what they put into it as the people did before them. Earn that respect, and then move up in the organization as they are able to acclimate more experience," Belichick said. 

This was very evident for the coach during his time with the New York Giants, where Belichick served in numerous different rolls across a 12 season career. When he was first hired by the Giants, Belichick served as the special teams and defensive assistant. He strictly worked with the defense, serving as the linebacker coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 1985 and remained there until 1990. 

He got his first head coaching position in 1991 with the Cleveland Browns. 

"That's what I said when I got to Cleveland, that that's what I would try to do. Of course, I hired some experienced coaches there, but also some young people to train."

Belichick was eventually fired in February 1996 after the Browns owner decided to move the team to a Baltimore (becoming the Baltimore Ravens). 

He moved to join the Patriots staff in 1996 as the assistant head coach and defensive backs coach, before moving to that same position in the New York Jets organization from 1997 to 1999. 

He was hired back to New England in 2000 as the head coach, and the rest is history. 

Belichick is no stranger to hard work and his personal experiences shape the people he looks to employ. At 71-years-old, Belichick is heading into his 48th year as a coach in the NFL and 24th season as head coach of the Patriots. 

But regardless of age, Belichick's winning mentality has not gone away. 

Featured Image via RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports