Now that Jerry Sloan is reportedly set to resign as head coach of the Utah Jazz after 23 years, America's three biggest pro sports leagues have all lost their longest-tenured head coaches in one short period. Bobby Cox recently stepped down as Atlanta Braves manager (MAYBE YOU HEARD ABOUT IT?), and Jeff Fisher was fired as head coach of the Tennessee Titans just days ago.
↵This leaves St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa as the longest-tenured skipper in U.S. major pro sports, and that's including the NHL's Lindy Ruff of the Buffalo Sabres. La Russa came on in 1996, followed by Gregg Popvich of the San Antonio Spurs, Ruff, and Andy Reid of the Philadelphia Eagles.
↵Atlanta's most enduring pro coach is Mike Smith of the Atlanta Falcons, who's only been around three years. He doesn't have much competition in that area, since Larry Drew, Fredi Gonzalez, and Craig Ramsay all started up within the past year.
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