It has been a tumultuous few days in the world of football with three of the sports biggest coaches stepping down from pacing the sidelines after long and illustrious careers.

BillBelichick:
Ending weeks of speculation, the New England Patriots announced on January 11 that long time head coach Ell Belichick was leaving the team after 24 years as the head coach.

With Tom Brady as his quarterback, Belichick led the team to six Super Bowl championships.

Belichick spoke on his leaving in a media event with Patriots owner Robert Kraft saying, “it’s with so many fond memories and thoughts that I think about the Patriots.  I’ll always be a Patriot. I look forward to coming back here. But at this time, we’re going to move on. And I look forward, excited for the future.”

After the departure of star quarterback Tom Brady, Belichick’s success has been less than stellar and owner Robert Kraft noted that missing the playoffs in three of the past four seasons did factor into the decision make a change at the head coaching position; saying, “what’s gone on here the last three to four years isn’t what we want. So we have a responsibility to do what we can to fix it to the best of our ability.”

During his 24 year stint as the head coach, Belichick noted that he has coached over 1,000 players saying, “players win games in the NFL.  I’ve been very, very fortunate to coach some of the greatest players to ever play the game.”

Comparing his relationship with Belichick to a marriage, Kraft said, “I’m very proud that our partnership lasted for 24 years.  Bill has taught me a lot over those years, and we had high expectations for what we could achieve together. I think we were the only ones who had those expectations, and I think it’s safe to say we exceeded them.”

The 71 year old Belichick has a total of 333 wins including those in the playoffs.  He joins George Halas and Don Shula as the only coaches with more than 300 career wins.  Belichick ranks second behind Shula who has 347 career wins.

While Belichick is leaving the Patriots, it is not necessarily an end to his career.  He is expected to seek a head coaching job elsewhere in the NFL.

An only child, Belichick is the son of a World War II veteran and football coach at Navy.

Pete Carroll:
After 14 years of running up and down the sidelines and chomping on endless pieces of gum, Peter Carroll has announced that he is stepping down as the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks.

But while he will no longer be the head coach, Carroll is not leaving the Seahawks.

The Seahawks released a statement on the matter saying, “after thoughtful meetings and careful consideration for the best interest of the franchise, we have amicably agreed with Pete Carroll that his role will evolve from the Coach to remain with the team as an advisor.  Pete is the winningest coach in Seahawks history, brought the city its first Super Bowl title, and created a tremendous impact over the past 14 years on the field and in the community. His expertise in leadership and building a championship culture will continue as an integral part of our organization moving forward. Pete will always be a beloved member of the Seahawks family.”

The 72 year old Carroll joined the Seahawks in 2010 and has 137 wins and a Super Bowl trophy during that time.  He is the most successful head coach in the Seahawks history.  He has also coached for the Patriots and the Jets.

Nick Saban:
Not since Bear Bryant coached the Crimson Tide of Alabama has the team seen such a dynasty as that under the tutelage of Nick Saban.  But after 17 years as the head coach Saban has announced that he is retiring. 

During his tenure at the University of Alabama, the 72 year old Saban has six National Championships, eleven SEC – Southeast Conference – titles, and has sent 123 players to the NFL – a record setting 49 of them via the first round of the draft.  He has compiled an unheard of record with 201 wins and only 29 losses at Alabama including two undefeated seasons and a perpetual top 10 standing in the AP Top 10.

Saban issued a statement saying, “the University of Alabama has been a very special place to Terry and me.  We have enjoyed every minute of our 17 years being the head coach at Alabama as well as becoming a part of the Tuscaloosa community. It is not just about how many games we won and lost, but it’s about the legacy and how we went about it. We always tried to do it the right way. The goal was always to help players create more value for their future, be the best player they could be and be more successful in life because they were part of the program. Hopefully, we have done that, and we will always consider Alabama our home.”

Prior to coming to Alabama, Saban was the head coach for the Miami Dolphins.  He also spent time with the original Cleveland Browns, the Toledo Rockets, and at Michigan State.  While at LSU, he brought the team a National Championship.

Saban’s career collegiate coaching record is 292 and 71 with one tie.