The end of the road for three legendary football head coaches

The GIST: The last 48 hours brought stunning job status updates for not one, not two, but three legendary football head coaches (HC). The end of an era doesn’t even begin to cover it.

New England Patriots HC Bill Belichick: Twenty-four years and an HC record-setting six Super Bowl wins later, Belichick and the Pats mutually agreed to part ways yesterday. Alongside quarterback Tom Brady, Belichick took New England from the bottom of the NFL to one of the most dominant dynasties in sports history, forever changing the game along the way. Just GOAT things.

• But it’s unlikely this is the last we’ll see of his hoodie on the sidelines. Just 15 wins shy of the all-time record, Belichick reportedly wants to keep coaching and is already drawing interest from a number of teams with HC vacancies.

Alabama HC Nick Saban: Belichick’s buddy beat him to the punch on Wednesday, announcing his retirement after 17 seasons and six national championships with the Crimson Tide (not to mention another title with LSU). Saban amassed an astounding 297-71-1 (wins, losses, ties) record over his 50-year coaching career — a truly unmatched level of success and longevity.

• How do you replace a legend of his magnitude? Quickly, apparently. Bama reportedly hopes to name a replacement by the end of the weekend. Talk about big shoes to fill.

Seattle Seahawks HC Pete Carroll: The Seahawks bid adieu to their 14-year HC on Wednesday, announcing that he will remain with the team in an advisory role. Carroll helped Seattle to their first (and so far only) Super Bowl title and departs as the winningest coach in franchise history. Times they sure are a changin’.