When well-known athletes and coaches retire from competition, the public usually learns of their choice well in advance. Occasionally, though, these declarations take the public, press, and occasionally even their colleagues and peers off guard. Take a look at some of the most unexpected outcomes for coaches and players—even though, in some cases, it wasn’t *the* end.
The fact that Belichick and the Patriots decided to part ways after the 2023 season isn’t very shocking. After the team’s poorest season in Belichick’s 24 years as manager (4-13), disintegration had been building for a few years. Even more startling was the fact that Belichick was passed over for the head coach position in the next round of hiring, partly because of his age and his apparent insistence on having total personnel control. It’s unclear what Belichick will do next, but it doesn’t seem likely that he will coach in the NFL once more at this point.
