CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers announced Friday that coach John Fox will not return next season and that the contracts of his assistant coaches will not be renewed.

"I told John today that I appreciate everything he has done for us over the last nine years, but as happens in this business, it is time for both sides to move in different directions," Panthers owner Jerry Richardson said in a statement.

Fox's departure has been no secret, and his last full practice at the Panthers' complex was an odd scene with the Meineke Car Care Bowl about to kick off just a few steps away. Fox gathered the players around him shortly before noon, with a burst of laughter heard from players as they broke toward the locker room.

"It's been a lot of great memories, a lot of fond memories, a lot of great relationships and something I'll cherish forever," Fox said. "Now [I'll] just embark on the next chapter."

Fox was first denied a contract extension after the 2008 season. He entered the last year of his deal this fall after the Panthers began a youth movement that's left them an NFL-worst 2-13 and the league's worst offense, but they will have the No. 1 overall draft pick in April.

"It's not new," Fox said of his impending departure. "It's something I've been preparing for actually for a couple of years."

League sources told ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas that Fox was allowed to explore other options before this season. Sources said he was a candidate for the Buffalo Bills' opening that eventually went to Chan Gailey, but Fox elected to finish out his contract with the Panthers.

A rift had developed between Richardson and Fox since Carolina's 33-13 loss to Arizona in the team's last playoff game in January 2009. Fox was more vocal this season in showing displeasure for several personnel moves that left the Panthers short on experience and talent.

John Fox said Friday he knew that the Panthers wouldn't retain him as coach after the 2010 season for almost two years. Joe Nicholson/US Presswire

The 55-year-old Fox, who is making more than $6 million this season, is 78-73 in Carolina, which includes the franchise's only Super Bowl appearance after the 2003 season. But the Panthers have never had consecutive winning seasons under Fox, who inherited a 1-15 team from George Seifert in 2002.

In his statement, Richardson didn't address what he'd be looking for in a new coach. Only Jeff Fisher in Tennessee, Bill Belichick in New England and Andy Reid in Philadelphia have been with their teams longer than Fox, who had been the New York Giants' defensive coordinator.

"While we haven't accomplished all of the goals we set as an organization when we signed him in 2002, we have certainly had our share of high moments -- the Super Bowl, two NFC championship games, and a division title in 2008," said Richardson, who hasn't answered questions from reporters in almost three years. "We wish John and his family the best going forward."

There was a light mood around Friday's practice and cornerback Captain Munnerlyn said Fox never brought up his ouster with the players. Munnerlyn said by phone that the news was "shocking."

"It's sad and it kind of hurts, too," Munnerlyn said. "These are the guys who have been coaching me since I came into the league last year, so you get close to them. It makes me sad to see them go."