Team Alpha Male will soon be minus their head coach, Duane Ludwig, who will be moving back to his home state of Colorado to open up his own gym. Even though Ludwig has mentioned in several interviews that his stint with the Sacramento team wasn't going to be a permanent one, it still took a lot of us by surprise, as we'd grown accustomed to his association with the camp and their undeniable success under his tutelage.

In a brief interview with Bloody Elbow, Bang elaborated on his upcoming move and gives the high and low points of his time with the team. Here's what he had to say:

Planting Roots

I'll be completing the last fighting camps, which will be Chris Holdsworth and T.J. Dillashaw. That takes me out to May 24th. After that, I'm moving back to Colorado to open Ludwig Martial Arts.

I won't be building a fight team, at least at first. It's just going to be a traditional martial arts academy. Once we get that up and running, then I can maybe start doing some fighter work, but working with a fighter here and there doesn't pay the bills.

Sacramento just wasn't home. I had to get back to Colorado for my family. This move is all about taking care of my family and our future, and part of that is planting roots and slowing down my travel schedule so I can spend that quality time with my family. This trainer lifestyle isn't so good for a family man. I need to establish a base of my own, so I can be there for my kids and be able to watch them grow.

Open Door for TAM on an ‘As Needed' Level

I talked to Urijah and let him know I would be heading back to Colorado, but that I would be able to come back for seminars, cornering fighters and to help out with part of a training camp or things like that. They're still going to be an affiliate of mine, it's just time I go and open my own business. I've been working for other people since I was 15 years old, and now it's time for me to do something on my own.

High Point & Low Point of Working with TAM

It's hard to say what my highest point working with those guys because there were so many. If I had to really narrow it down, I think being part of T.J. Dillashaw's wins. Those have always been special for me. Also, being there when Chris Holdsworth won The Ultimate Fighter. That was an amazing moment, too.

There really weren't any low points. Those guys are great. If anything, the traveling was the only thing I could say was a low point. In order to really comfortably live, I've got to be pretty busy, so yeah, the constant traveling might be the only low point to speak of. It's just real hard on my family, and on me to be away from them.

Thoughts on his Replacement

In order for me to give a fair assessment and make a recommendation for my replacement, I'd have to be able to watch them coach and be able to see their methods. I know Robert Follis has a good understanding of mixed martial arts, and I know Dan Hardy does, as well. I think any of the guys the team is looking at would work....shit, there's only one Duane Ludwig [laughs]. I care about these motherfuckers, that's for sure. I hope whoever works with them next cares as much as I do [lots of emotion in his voice].

You can follow Duane via his Twitter account, @DuaneBangcom

Look for Ludwig Martial Arts to open soon in Arvada, Colorado