After 24 seasons and one of the most successful dynasties in football history, Bill Belichick is out as the head coach of the New England Patriots. Now, the once-dominant franchise needs a new coach.
Catch up quick: Patriots owner Robert Kraft publicly announced yesterday that Belichick will not return next season.
With a series of dramatic announcements over the past 24 hours, three of football's legendary coaches — Bill Belichick, Nick Saban and Pete Carroll — left their long-held jobs and identities behind.
Why it matters: The trio have dominated college and professional football over the last two-plus decades, and the teams they've coached have defined the sport for generations of fans.
Alabama fans flocked to Nick Saban's statue at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa to leave oatmeal cream pies and other tributes after the college football coaching great announced his retirement on Wednesday evening.
The big picture: Saban, who's widely considered one of the greatest college football coaches of all time, said in a statement Wednesday that the University of Alabama "has been a very special place" to the 72-year-old and his wife, Terry.
Player opt-outs shook up college football this season, with some bowl games losing their hype and underdogs pulling off upsets due to sidelined players.
Why it matters: Athletes who opt out of postseason appearances to stay healthy for the NFL Draft or to enter the transfer portal force their teams into games that can be more difficult to win.
