| 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 |
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.
Plot[edit]
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[edit]
- 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[edit]
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[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Lamont, John (1990). "The John Ashley Filmography". Trash Compactor (Volume 2 No. 5 ed.). p. 27.
- ^ Marill, Alvin H. (2009). Sports on Television. Praeger. ISBN 978-0313351051.
- ^ Lamont, John (1992). "The John Ashley Interview Part 2". Trash Compactor (Volume 2 No. 6 ed.).
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (December 6, 2019). "A Hell of a Life: The Nine Lives of John Ashley". Diabolique Magazine.
External links[edit]
