Bill Belichick is to leave his position as head coach of the New England Patriots after 24 seasons. The news was first reported by ESPN, finally answering one of the biggest coaching uncertainties of the NFL offseason. According to insiders with knowledge of the situation, the decision was mutual and amicable. Belichick had one year left on his contract and was allowed to leave the Patriots freely without seeking compensation. Additionally, the veteran coach is expected to draw some interest from some of the other seven teams with head coaching vacancies.
As for New England, their next head coach is likely to be an internal hire. Linebackers coach Jerod Mayo, previously identified by owner Robert Kraft as a potential head coach in the making, is expected to be the frontrunner for the now-vacant position. Furthermore, the team will have a lot of decisions to make, such as their quarterback going forward. The team holds the No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft and is projected to take 2023 Heisman-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels.
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Nick Saban, Long-Time Friend Of Bill Belichick, Retires
However, Belichick is not the only veteran coach moving on. His long-time friend Nick Saban announced on January 10 that he was retiring after 17 years at Alabama and over half a century in coaching. Saban led Alabama to six national titles and finished the 2023 season with a Rose Bowl loss to eventual champions Michigan. Saban's coaching journey began all the way back in 1973 as a graduate assistant at Kent State. His first head coaching role was at Toledo in 1990. He would hold the same position at Michigan State, LSU, and the Miami Dolphins before coming to Alabama in 2007. He immediately turned around an ailing program, turning them into them into the powerhouse they are today.
Saban, who turned 72 last October, has previously been coy about retirement. I've always said that if you're thinking about retirement, you're probably already retired, and I'm not there yet," Saban told ESPN in November. Furthermore Saban ends his career with a record of 292-71-1 in 28 total seasons as a college head coach. He has seven National championships, 12 conference titles, and 19 bowl game victories. Alabama are expected to remain a title contender in 2024.
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