By: Macy Dennon

Editor-in-Chief

The football community lost three coaching legends as Pete Carroll, Nick Saban, and Bill Belichick left their jobs as head coaches. 

Pete Carroll was one of three head coaches to win a college national championship, his at USC, and the Super Bowl. Carroll led with empathy and compassion first as a coach. Throughout his career, he focused on relationship-based team building and during his 14 seasons with the Seahawks he did just that. Though he has not fully detached from the team, as he will remain an advisor for the Seahawks, he admittedly doesn’t know what that realistically entails. 

He stated in a press conference, “it’s been an honor and a thrill to be part of this program and I’ve loved every minute of it. You’ve watched me love it.” He continued, “But this is a good move for them and [John Schneider, the manager of the hawks, is] going to take the bull by the horns and roll. I’m so thankful that I get to see him take that next step and watch what he does with it.” Carroll had the fourth longest tenure and at 72 years old he was the oldest head coach in the NFL, and had held that honor for many years. Even now, it seems as though he does not plan on retiring and said at a press conference that he is still “fired up.”

After 17 seasons with Alabama, head coach Nick Saban announced his retirement. Through his time with the team he won 201 games, nine conference crowns, and six national championships. No doubt due to his guidance, Alabama became a feared team and dominated the ACC. Athletic director Greg Byrne spoke of Saban’s success, saying, “while his time as our coach may have come to an end, his legacy will live on forever. What an honor it has been for us to have a front-row seat to one of the best to ever do it.” Like Carroll, Saban is rumored to still be a part of the Bama football family, helping in an advisory role. Bryne confirmed that “knowing Saban,” he is not done with football, just coaching. 

Bill Belichick, the former head coach of the New England Patriots, also announced that he will not return with the Patriots in the next football season. After an upsetting season this year, finishing last in the AFC East, Robert Kraft, the owner of the team, decided to let the legendary coach go. In a news conference, Belichick said he will “always be a Patriot,” and thanked Kraft for the opportunity and support, saying: “We had a vision of building a championship football team that has exceeded my wildest dreams and expectations. I’m very proud of that. I’ll always have those great memories, will carry those with me the rest of my life.” Similar to Saban, Belichick turned the Patriots into a dominant force, leading them to six Super Bowl wins. After 24 years with the team, the loss of Belichick will begin a new era for the team as they rebuild. 

(Sources: ESPN, The Sun, Sports Illustrated)