Sports world reacts to Bill Belichick leaving Patriots - ESPN

All good things must come to an end — even historic 24-year runs. After 17 division titles, nine conference championships and six Super Bowl rings together, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots announced their mutual decision to part ways on Thursday.

Belichick's 24-season tenure in Foxborough was the fifth longest of any head coach with one team. The prolific coach amassed 296 victories (including playoffs) during his time at the Patriots' helm.

While New England will be in the market for a new head coach for the first time in a quarter century, Belichick is expected to continue coaching elsewhere in the league. There are currently seven NFL teams that have head-coaching vacancies to fill.

«I'll always be a Patriot.… At this time, we're gonna move on and I look forward and I'm excited for the future.»

Bill Belichick on mutually agreeing to part ways with the Patriots. pic.twitter.com/qUywPBzAsc

From Tom Brady to LeBron James, here's how the sports world reacted to the arbiter of cutoff hoodies departing the Patriots' sideline:

A post shared by Tom Brady (@tombrady)

Wouldn't change a thing coach <a href=«https://twitter.com/hashtag/FoxboroForever?src=hash&ref_src=» https:>#FoxboroForever

pic.twitter.com/pelLmjkLko

Greatest ever. Thank you for everything. Me, my family, my son. Shaping me into a football player and a man. Love you pic.twitter.com/6kuk5xALtd

That's about all I did lol. Congrats on being one of the greatest ever Coach! https://t.co/tfXsBWxjeu

You're the best, coach Belichick! Congrats on an amazing run and thanks for all you did for me. pic.twitter.com/cuUBEaVZYN

Though brief, I won't forget the time under your professional tutelage Bill Belichick.

Brought me back in free agency. First to call me