The end of an era
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Merry NFL Playoffs eve!
Heads up, we’ll be off on Monday as the U.S. celebrates MLK Jr. Day, but not before sliding into your inbox with an NFL Playoffs special edition tomorrow and an Australian Open Scroll on Sunday. Consider your long weekend plans confirmed and kick it off right with even more sports news…
— Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, candidly discussing postpartum training and how motherhood has transformed her ahead of her long-awaited return to the aforementioned Aussie Open. Can’t wait to see her on the court when the first major of the year kicks off tomorrow.
Football coaching changes
🏈 The line it is drawn
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’.
⚽ The NWSL Draft airs tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ION
Expansion teams Utah Royals and Bay FC will have the first and second picks, respectively, in tonight’s draft, followed by the remaining 12 NWSL clubs in reverse order of their 2023 season standings. The selections will last for four rounds until 56 new players are chosen to join the league.
- Over 200 athletes have entered the draft, including top prospects UNC midfielder Ally Sentnor, UCLA forward Reilyn Turner, Stanford defender Kennedy Wesley, and reigning-champion FSU midfielder LeiLanni Nesbeth.
🏆 San Diego Wave defender Naomi Girma named U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year
The star center back is the first defender to win U.S. Soccer’s highest annual honor, awarded for her standout performance anchoring the USWNT’s backline at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup as well as her back-to-back NWSL Defender of the Year wins. Icon, legend, queen.
👀 USWNT defenders making club moves
After nine years with her hometown squad, the Chicago Red Stars, defender Casey Krueger is joining the Washington Spirit, in part to work with impressive new head coach Jonatan Giráldez.
- On the other side of the pond, Women’s Super League (WSL) squad Arsenal confirmed former North Carolina Courage standout Emily Fox is a Gunner, upping the number of USWNT players in the WSL to four.
🤕 Chicago Blackhawks rookie center Connor Bedard will miss the next six to eight weeks (including next month’s All-Star Game) recovering from surgery on his fractured jaw.
🏒 PWHL Montréal’s Marie Philip-Poulin recorded the team’s first hat trick during Wednesday’s 5–2 win over New York — great momentum heading into tomorrow’s 3:30 p.m. ET game vs. Boston.
- Toronto, meanwhile, fell 3–1 to undefeated Minnesota on Wednesday, but Sarah Nurse’s crew will have a shot at redemption against Ottawa tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET. Puck yeah.
🧠 The NHL Players’ Association announced a new mental health program called the First Line on Wednesday, an initiative that will support players and their families with overall wellness on and off the ice.
🔙 After being terminated by the Chicago Blackhawks due to “unacceptable conduct” last November, the league has cleared Corey Perry to sign with a new team.
🍁 The Toronto Maple Leafs lost to captain John Tavares’ old team, the NY Islanders, 4–3 in overtime last night, one day after recalling goalie Ilya Samsonov from the AHL Marlies.
💰 LA Clippers star and two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard signed a three-year, $153M contract extension on Wednesday, hours ahead of the Clips’ game against the Toronto Raptors.
🏀 NBA: Toronto Raptors vs. Utah Jazz — Tonight at 9:30 p.m. ET — Sportsnet One
- Following Wednesday’s 126–120 loss to the Clippers, Scottie Barnes and the boys will aim to end their West Coast road trip on a high note when they boogie with Lauri Markkanen and the suddenly surging Jazz.
🇨🇦 U18 Women’s World Championship: Canada vs. Czechia — Tomorrow at 9 a.m. ET — TSN4
- After yesterday’s 6–0 quarter-final win over host Switzerland, the red and white punched their ticket to tomorrow’s semis, where Sunday’s gold medal game hangs in the balance. Bring it home.
🏒 NHL: Edmonton Oilers vs. Montréal Canadiens — Tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET — Sportsnet One
- Connor McDavid and the Oilers have seemingly found their stride, winning nine straight games ahead of this All-Canadian matchup from the iconic Bell Centre. Magnifique.
Here’s what passed The GIST squad’s vibe check this week:
🎧 What to listen to
This ESPN Daily podcast episode chronicling Brittney Griner's ten-month detainment in Russia. A story of true resilience.
🏀 What to learn about
The Black schools that were left out of the AP poll. The outlet recently wrote about the exclusion of numerous Black teams during its earliest days.
🏆 What to bet on
The Super Bowl. One of our favorite props? The possibility of a color-coordinated matchup.
Question of the Day
Football coaches took “new year, new me” to a whole new level this week. Inspired by the changes, we want to know: If you were an HC, would you rather coach a college or professional team? Sound off below.
On Wednesday, we asked you which PWHL team you’re cheering for. Boston and Minnesota were tied at 20%, 18% voted for Toronto, Montreal and New York were tied at 15%, and 12% voted for Ottawa. Go, team, go.Today’s email was brought to you by Lauren Tuiskula, Alessandra Puccio, Marga Sison, Lisa Minutillo, and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Laura Pastore, Janine Kiefer, Emma Leishman, Rachel Fuenzalida, and Lindsay Jost. Fact-checking by Parul Kanwar. Ops by Briana Ekanem and Marga Sison. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster, Alexis Allison, and Dee Lab. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.