Real Carolina Panthers ‘ head coach, Dave Canale , graciously departs.
At a news conference held at Gillette Stadium, the 71-year-old—who, with quarterback Tom Brady, built one of the longest winning streaks in professional football—and Patriots owner Robert Kraft made the announcement.
After their meeting on Wednesday, Kraft claimed that he and Belichick mutually agreed to part ways amicably.
Standing next to his now-former head coach, Kraft stated, I’m really proud that our cooperation lasted 24 years. It marks the conclusion of a period that our area should always remember and celebrate. The individual positioned to my left provided the guidance and leadership required to enable us to achieve this kind of extraordinary accomplishment.”
According to Kraft, the two men felt that a change was necessary.
This decision to split ways is really difficult because he is the greatest coach of all time, Kraft remarked. However, we both agreed that this is a necessary action at this time.
Belichick congratulated every member of the Patriots staff, both on and off the field, for their contributions to the team’s victory as he went through a lengthy list of them.
Everyone gave it their all, which is why we succeeded—it was a fantastic team effort, he remarked.
Naturally, I would like to express my gratitude and admiration for the players. In the NFL, athletes win games, and I’ve had the extreme good fortune to coach some of the best players ever.
Belichick remarked nonchalantly that he wasn’t always the best coworker or employer.
Depending on how you want to look at it, they (the support personnel) made my life a lot easier or I made their lives a lot tougher, he remarked.
After delivering the announcement and leaving the press conference, neither man answered any questions. However, Kraft returned to the platform two hours later and provided additional context for the decision.
In addition to being a coach, Belichick also served as the team’s de facto general manager, making decisions on almost every aspect of football.
According to Kraft, the two had discussed giving Belichick less responsibility, but in the end, the owner claimed he came to the conclusion that doing so would have caused unfavorable second-guessing.
At the second meeting, Kraft told reporters, It’s going to create up confusion and, ‘oh, it was his (draft) pick and it was a horrible pick’ or ‘he didn’t play him right.’ I don’t think it would work.
A reporter questioned Kraft about Belichick’s resistance to departing during the second briefing, asking if the coach had fought for his job.
Kraft hesitated before responding directly.
It’s something that, I think, the last three or four days of taking the time to work it out allowed us to do, Kraft said. It was best that we each went on.
When he expressed gratitude to Patriots supporters for their support over this extended run, the renowned, non-demonstrative Belichick seemed to display some emotion.
These fans are incredible, Belichick remarked. So many memories of the supporters, the parades, the send-offs, the Sundays, the circumstances, the letters of support, seeing the fans wherever you stumble into them, at a grocery store or a gas station away from here.
Belichick and Kraft have made it clear that they anticipate the seasoned Pats skipper returning to the sidelines shortly.
Regarding Belichick and the coach’s renowned, outlandish wardrobe choices, Kraft remarked, It’ll be difficult to watch him in a cutoff hoodie on the sidelines (of another team), but I will always continue to wish him tremendous success except when he’s playing for our beloved Patriots.
Announcing his excitement for the future, Dave remarked
He declared, I’ll always be a Patriot. I am excited to return here. However, we’re going to move on at this point, and I’m eager to see what lies ahead.
