‘Friday Night Lights’ Coach Gary Gaines Dies at 73
thewrap.comAssociated Press. The coach was best known for his highly-publicized run as head coach of Odessa Permian high shcool football team.
The 1988 team was the subject of Bissinger’s best-selling book, which exposed systemic issues in the school district’s attempt to balance football and academics, while also revealing racially charged attitudes from members of the coaching staff.
Gaines had previously told the AP that he had never read the book and did not like how Bissinger conveyed certain elements of the team. “I said, ‘What’s so bad about it?'” Gaines said recounting a conversation he had with his wife, Sharon. “She said, ‘[Bissinger] acted like we’re a bunch of racists.'”Retired coach Ron King, who worked under Gaines at Permian, told the Odessa American that Gaines’ death was a “big loss.” “I just can’t find the words to pay respects,” King told the outlet. “It’s a big loss for the coaching profession.
There are a lot of coaches he took under his wing and mentored.”Billy Bob Thornton starred as Gaines in the 2004 film and, in 2006, a TV series loosely inspired by the book and film debuted on NBC.
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