Longtime New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft on Thursday agreed to mutually part ways.
It means Belichick, who spent the last 24 seasons in Foxboro, Mass., will be available on the open market. It also means New England will begin its first coaching search in more than two decades.
Standing alongside Kraft at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, here is what Belichick said during the press conference to announce the mutual split:
“Robert and I, after a series of discussions, have mutually agreed to part ways. For me, this is a day of gratitude and celebration.