Long-time ESPN personality Jonathan Coachman has left the company. Coachman came to ESPN in 2008 after nine years in a variety of roles with WWF/WWE, and was there until this year, hosting SportsCenter and radio shows and playing a key role in the network’s wrestling coverage. It’s not clear exactly when he officially left, but it’s certainly official now from his tweets. So far, he’s pivoted to doing a daily Periscope show, and has said he has other things in the works and is open to more.

Here’s a look at Coachman’s tweets about his exit.

First, in September, he talked about returning from a six-month “social media/personal recalibration” (it wasn’t a complete hiatus, as he sent occasional tweets and retweeted others during that span, but he wasn’t very active):

Self imposed 6 month social media/personal recalibration. Never felt better or more positive. Will re-engage soon. Thanks for note. https://t.co/1cxvBhXcwW — Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachESPN) September 20, 2017

In early October, he talked about how that was partly to “remember why I got into this business”

About 6 months to be exact. Reboot. Rebuild. Reinvigorate. Re-member why I got into this business. Have done that. Now I am back. Let’s go. https://t.co/2zQctGNo6k — Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachESPN) October 6, 2017

On Oct. 14, he tweeted about “a LONG list of good ideas that were bypassed”:

Already pitched It. Trust me I have a LONG list of good ideas that were by-passed. Like camera-McGregor-private Jet-@SummerSlam-2016. https://t.co/OBVpC6nFJb — Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachESPN) October 14, 2017

Also that day, he talked about creating his own thing, and having podcast proposals turned down:

That’s nice. But trust me to be anything at the highest level is so very hard. Who knows maybe I will create my own thing? https://t.co/5mC2earbwR — Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachESPN) October 14, 2017

Agreed. You have to understand that when you are under a brand you have to get permission for everything. Even starting your own podcast. https://t.co/xbJxZ7xgVP — Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachESPN) October 14, 2017

On Oct. 17, he posted a “time to have fun again” video to Instagram, and announced that he’d do a daily Periscope show. He also said “We’re going to start talking about sports again, the actual game. The day after the NFL, let’s talk about the games on the field!”

On Oct. 26, he commented further on issues with ESPN, including them cancelling his “Off The Top Rope” segment:

@TheCoachESPN did you and wwe have a falling out ?? — dan lutzka (@dlutzka) October 27, 2017

I ask because your not doing off the top rope on espn anymore — dan lutzka (@dlutzka) October 27, 2017

Has nothing to do with @wwe and everything to do with @espn. To many people liked it so they made me stop it. https://t.co/qo20F13O2X — Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachESPN) October 27, 2017

And yet they wonder why people like myself don't watch @espn — rob keeler (@TOR_rob12) October 27, 2017

it’s been beyond frustrating on my end. great leadership takes vision and creativity. And if those in power lack that..well you see it. https://t.co/sD7AuSZkOo — Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachESPN) October 27, 2017

Appreciate the frustration but calling out the guys who sign the checks is not a good strategy. — Jon L. (@SnarfGuard) October 27, 2017

probably right. Or maybe we can look in the mirror and be honest and realize real work and changes need to be done. That’s not calling out. https://t.co/TXFsarOi28 — Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachESPN) October 27, 2017

I have none. I know how it feels to have rug pulled out from underneath after promises made. It doesn’t feel good. No matter who you are. https://t.co/02FHhs6wRX — Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachESPN) October 27, 2017

@TheCoachESPN is absolutely ripping ESPN! I’m glad to see one of their employees express their frustration with the company’s failure — Patrick Hauf (@PatrickHauf) October 27, 2017

Haven’t ripped anyone. I have pointed out some obvious things. can’t act like they don’t exist if we all in the media want to get better. https://t.co/AQSnkmJxyQ — Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachESPN) October 27, 2017

That’s perhaps particularly notable considering the back and forth of ESPN’s WWE coverage, which has at times incorporated a vertical, regular SportsCenter segments, and now a 30 for 30, but has also taken some criticism, including from public editor Jim Brady. The company seems to have gone back and forth on how much they want to do WWE things, and that may have been part of Coachman’s exit.

It’s also interesting that he’s retweeted some comments that were quite critical of ESPN:

Good for you coach. ESPN hires talent, let them SHOWCASE their talent. This is literally leadership 101. Sad ESPN stopped doing that. — Patrick Mura (@patrickmura38) October 27, 2017

After that, Coachman discussed his Periscope show:

@TheCoachESPN this is what I missed when you were off twitter, love how interactive you are with us. — Zach Takes (@ZachTakes) October 27, 2017

Yep. And more to come. Going to do periscope show everyday to discuss topics and sports that you the fan want. Like maybe actually the game https://t.co/erasGxq26z — Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachESPN) October 27, 2017

Monday’s – NFL/Golf Tuesdays – Raw Wed- NBA Thur – reality tv/scripted shows. Friday – whatever is the hottest from week. We control content https://t.co/HRgXZTIQJA — Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachESPN) October 27, 2017

And mentioned he was shooting something for WWE Network:

Don’t know if full time but I am shooting a show next week that will air later in November on @WWENetwork. Can’t wait for that. https://t.co/u2b8HEtr4z — Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachESPN) October 27, 2017

Here’s one of his first Periscope shows, from Oct. 30:

This apparent shot at former coworker Jon Gruden the same day is also perhaps interesting:

I can’t believe I decided tonight to play drinking game every time Gruden says “unbelievable”. I am incredibly drunk in only 3rd qtr. Lol — Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachESPN) October 31, 2017

In November, Coachman further discussed his exit (and comparisons to Clay Travis’ Periscope success):

When I watched I was thinking same blueprint as Clay. Love this way more than ESPN/FS1…gives y'all more freedom for honesty. — Inactive (@CAllenTexas) November 2, 2017

Good luck. It’s lots of fun, but baby steps. — Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) November 2, 2017

Exactly. Haven’t felt this free in long time. Will also allow for multiple gigs at same time also. https://t.co/WTyDQkxVoi — Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachESPN) November 2, 2017

This week, he talked about being back on TV with “several projects in the works”:

@TheCoachESPN Coach, are you going to be back on TV anytime soon? Or is online your new gig? — Chris Burke (@fallsnative) November 8, 2017

Yes I️ will be. Several projects in the works. When I️ can discuss I️ will. But it was just time to leave espn. Professional and personal reasons. But I️ feel great and this show is for fun and to stay sharp. https://t.co/zw0Y9omDUj — Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachESPN) November 8, 2017

@TheCoachESPN did not know you weren’t at the Mothership anymore. Huge fan Bro. My boys and I admire your work. — dexter (@loonboogie) November 8, 2017

Thank you brother. There comes certain times in life when you have to make a change. My vision is totally different from certain people there. Not all. Too many good ideas to keep hearing no. And you will see them soon. https://t.co/HLuMOoh2IA — Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachESPN) November 8, 2017

@TheCoachESPN so with Apple buying/creating shows, any chance you explore getting your own sports show with them? They’re gonna need a sports outlet! — Ryan Deen (@RyanDeen) November 9, 2017

Absolutely. You have to evolve and think outside the box. Which is now inside the box. My biggest problem is with leadership in any company that is too stubborn to think like this. Trust me I am on it. https://t.co/togfTw5XuX — Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachESPN) November 9, 2017

He also discussed changing his Twitter handle to a new company:

What’s ur new twitter handle gonna be? — N8 Chapman (@chapmandachamp) November 9, 2017

Can’t change it until I am allowed to put it in my handle. When the time is right I will. Going to be cool though the next steps https://t.co/h0lhD8GIZU — Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachESPN) November 9, 2017

He’s continued to retweet other comments critical of ESPN too, like this one:

I'm relieved to see that @TheCoachESPN has left ESPN. That company continues to go down and God forbid anyone with talent, like Coach, propose new and enlightening ideas to elevate the company further. Hope to see you in the @WWE again, Coach! God bless! — Chris DiFrancesco (@ChrisDiFran24) November 10, 2017

It’s definitely interesting to see Coachman directly engaging with fans on Twitter and now on this daily Periscope show, and it’s also notable to hear some of his comments about ESPN’s leadership or lack thereof. We’ll see where he lands next.

[WrestleZone; photo from Coachman’s website]