Duane 'Bang' Ludwig parts ways with Team Alpha Male, search for new head coach underway

Chances are if you watched an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event in 2013 that featured a member of Team Alpha Male on the card, you likely heard the announcers mention the name Duane "Bang" Ludwig countless times.

That's because last year the mixed martial arts (MMA) veteran -- and owner of the fastest knockout in UFC history -- appeared to single-handedly overhaul the stand up games for nearly every member of the Sacramento, Calif.-based fight team.

Whereas once Alpha Male was known as a team full of some of the best lighter weight wrestlers in the sport, under Ludwig's tutelage stars such as Urijah Faber, Chad Mendes and Joseph Benavidez began to gain notoriety for their continually on-point striking.

From the outside, it seemed, Ludwig had settled into a comfortable and successful niche as a head coach.

However, it appears all good things must come to an end. Ludwig revealed on Wednesday's edition of "UFC Tonight" on FOX Sports 1 that he will be leaving Team Alpha Male effective May 24, 2014, to pursue a venture of his own.

"I'm moving back to Colorado to open and run my own gym and business," Ludwig explained. "Time to build my own brand. All is good here in Sacramento. Love the guys here, but I have to build my own business."

As for where Ludwig's departure leaves Team Alpha Male, it appears the squad is already proactively searching for a new head coach. In fact, it has already posted a "Help Wanted" ad on the team's website.

According to Faber, Team Alpha Male's founder and most popular fighter, he has his eye on a few possible replacements.

"I would love to get a guy like Mark Homminick or Dan Hardy, even a guy like Mark Beecher. Maybe even Robert Follis," Faber said.