JUPITER, Fla. -- News this afternoon that Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan will resign after 23 seasons with the NBA team stretches all the way to the clubhouse here at Roger Dean Stadium.

It now houses the longest-tenured coach in North America's four major professional sports.

St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who is entering his 16th season with the club, will have the longest active streak with a single team after Sloan's resignation. When La Russa signed his current deal -- a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2012 -- he was third on the list of longest-tenured coaches.

By tomorrow he'll be on top.

The Salt Lake City-based Deseret News reported on its Web site this afternoon that Sloan will announce his resignation during an afternoon press conference. He has been with the team for 23 seasons, and he's held the title of longest-tenured active coach in pro sports since Tom Kelly left his position as manager of the Minnesota Twins in 2001.

Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher was second on the list a few weeks ago, but he left that position last month.

That vaults La Russa into the lead.

Here was the list of the longest-tenured coaches with their current club from a month ago, including the date the individual coach took over as coach or manager:

Jerry Sloan, Jazz ... Dec. 19, 1988

Jeff Fisher, Titans ... Nov. 14, 1994

Tony La Russa, Cardinals ... Oct. 23, 1995

Gregg Popovich, Spurs ... Dec. 10, 1996

Lindy Ruff, Sabres ... July 21, 1997

Barry Trotz, Predators ... Aug. 6, 1997

Andy Reid, Eagles ... Jan. 11, 1999

Mike Scioscia, Angels ... Nov. 17, 1999

Bill Belichick, Patriots ... Jan. 27, 2000

Ron Gardenhire, Twins ... Jan. 4, 2002

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