Coach of the Year (film)

Coach of the Year is a 1980 American TV film about a paraplegic coach, starring Robert Conrad, Erin Gray, Red West and Daphne Reid.^[2][3] It aired on December 20, 1980 on NBC.

Coach of the Year
Directed by	Don Medford
Starring	Robert Conrad Erin Gray
Music by	Pete Carpenter Mike Post
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Producer	John Ashley
Cinematography	Paul Vombrack
Budget	$1 million[1]
Original release
Network	NBC
Release	December 20, 1980 (1980-12-20)

Plot

Jim Brandon, a former player for the Chicago Bears, is a returning veteran who has been paralyzed in the Vietnam War. Upon his return to his home town, he tries to get a job as a football coach, but does not get it. He comes up with the idea of becoming the football coach at the Illinois State Training School for Boys in St. Charles after a visit there. Coach Brandon tries to become accepted by the young delinquents at the prison, while coaching them to succeed on the football field.

Cast

• Robert Conrad as Jim Brandon
• Erin Gray as Paula DeFalco
• Red West as Superintendent Turner
• Daphne Reid as Merissa Lane
• David Raynr as Munroe Sweetlife Johnson
• Ricky Paull Goldin as Andy DeFalco
• Alex Paez as Hector Estrada
• Richard Marx as himself (credited as Richard Marks)

Production

The movie was filmed in Batavia, Illinois, including a scene in Dick's Townhouse Tavern, and St. Charles, Illinois, including scenes at the Illinois Youth Center.

It was produced by John Ashley, a former actor who was an old friend of Conrad's.^[4]

See also

• List of American football films