HOUSTON – The unassuming Bill Belichick, draped in an oversized T-shirt that read “Patriots Super Bowl Champions,” credited everyone in his organization except himself for helping New England win its second Super Bowl in three years. We’d suspect it was an act if it weren’t so genuine.

“It was a real team effort from top to bottom, from the owner to the personnel department, to all the support people, to the 53rd guy on the roster,” Belichick said moments after Adam Vinatieri’s 41-yard field goal with four seconds remaining lifted the Patriots to a thrilling 32-29 victory over the determined Panthers last night in Super Bowl XXXVIII. “It’s been an incredible year and everybody has contributed.”

Especially the coach.

He may not always look the part, but Belichick is a certified genius now. Right up there with Bill Walsh, Don Shula, Chuck Noll and even that other guy named Bill as in Parcells.

When you win two Super Bowls in three years, especially the way the Patriots did in capturing Super Bowl XXXVIII, the rest of the coaching fraternity bows at your throne. That might make Belichick uncomfortable, but that’s what happens when your knowledge of Xs and Os turns into multiple Super Bowl rings.

Only 11 other coaches have won at least two Super Bowls, few have ever done it the way Belichick did this year, putting together a season-ending 15-game winning streak despite utilizing more than 40 different starters because of injuries. Yet, the closest Belichick got to patting himself on the back was when he talked of his team.

“You win 15 in a row and win a Super Bowl championship that’s pretty good,” said the reigning NFL Coach of the Year. “I think they can be talked about up there with some of the other teams that had good accomplishments. Right now I’m still on cloud nine. I’m just enjoying the moment. This will be an unforgettable season for me.”

The Patriots outlasted the Panthers because they played the kind of football that seems automatic under Belichick. They opened with a hard-nosed defensive plan and didn’t panic when the Panthers went to three wide receiver sets in the second half and started to move the football.

Even when the Patriots trailed 22-21 with 6:53 to play in the game, they didn’t panic, following Tom Brady’s leadership and Vinatieri clutch toe to another Vince Lombardi Trophy.

“This game was such a back and forth game,” Belichick said. “It was a terrific football game to watch. It wasn’t that terrific to coach. I was having a heart attack.”

You wouldn’t have known it by his demeanor. The Patriots and their coach will never let an opponent see them sweat. His wardrobe might need a makeover, but his coaching style is certainly in fashion.

His thumb prints were all over last night’s win against the determined Panthers, who didn’t quit until the final gun. The Patriots opened the game by putting eight men on the line to stop the run and daring Jake Delhomme to beat them in the air. Delhomme completed just one of his first nine passes but found his rhythm and started to move the ball.

The Pats stayed just as determined, making their final possession count with a game-winning field.

We can forgive Belichick for calling for a squib kick near the end of the first half that positioned the Panthers for a late field goal to trail 14-10 at the break. Even a genius can make a mistake.

Still, you have to think Belichick’s teams will always be contending for Super Bowls as long as he’s the coach. Maybe one of these days he’ll thank himself for being part of the success.