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Coach (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Coach is an American television sitcom that aired for nine seasons on ABC
from 1989 to 1997. The series starred Craig T. Nelson
as Hayden Fox, head coach
of the fictional Division I-A college football
team, the Minnesota State University Screaming Eagles. The program also starred Jerry Van Dyke
as Luther Van Dam and Bill Fagerbakke
as Michael "Dauber" Dybinski, assistant coaches under Fox. The role of Hayden's girlfriend (and later, wife) Christine Armstrong, a television news anchor, was played by Shelley Fabares
.
, who enrolled at Minnesota State mainly because she wanted to be near her father. Kelly dated, and eventually married in the second season, theater mime Stuart Rosebrock (Kris Kamm
), whom Hayden could not stand. Their marriage ended in 1991 after Stuart, returning from filming his own kids TV show Buzzy the Beaver, told Kelly that he'd met another woman. While overtly supporting Kelly with her heartbreak, Coach Fox clandestinely couldn't have been happier to have 'Stu' out of both of their lives. After graduating from Minnesota State in 1993, Kelly got a job at a major ad agency job in New York. She was only seen in occasional guest spots thereafter. Much of Hayden's coaching job, besides mentoring his players, was working with his assistants Luther van Dam (Jerry van Dyke), a lifelong bachelor who often struggled with self-confidence and Michael "Dauber" Daubinski, a stereotypical "dumb jock" whose ongoing joke was he had not yet graduated Minnesota State despite being enrolled for several years, but would often surprisingly be of intellectual help to the team, usually learned from a class he was attending or that he was a fan of Nova
. Another person Hayden could not stand was the ladies' basketball coach Judy Watkins, whom Hayden often got into prank wars with, but was complicated by the fact Dauber dated her until 1995 when she confessed to an affair after returning from a coaching job in France. Also seen throughout the run was Minnesota State athletic director Howard Burleigh (Kenneth Kimmins
) and his nutty wife Shirley (Georgia Engel), who were close friends with Hayden and Christine. At the end of season 7, Hayden is offered a job with a fictional NFL
expansion team called the "Orlando Breakers". Hayden agrees and takes his coaching staff with him for the final two seasons. The Foxes adopted a baby boy named Timothy (played by twins Brennan and Brian Felker). Many season 9 episodes focused on the couple's newfound joy of parenthood, as they had been unable to conceive a child together before they decided to adopt.
, although the school would later retract its support. The creator and producer of the show, Barry Kemp
, an alumnus of the University of Iowa
paid homage to his alma mater by naming the main character of Coach (Hayden Fox) after the University of Iowa's long-time football coach Hayden Fry
. Many of the exterior shots of "Minnesota State" are actually of the University of Iowa
, usually of students walking around the Iowa Memorial Union in downtown Iowa City
. The screen shot when returning from commercial breaks is of the outside of the Hillcrest dormitory
. There are also numerous shots of Quadrangle Residence Hall as well as the Field House, which once served as the venue for University of Iowa basketball.
and its team the Golden Gophers
, but the University of Minnesota withdrew its approval. At the time no school was named Minnesota State University, but since then two schools in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System
have renamed themselves such: Minnesota State University, Mankato
(formerly Mankato State University) and Minnesota State University Moorhead
(formerly Moorhead State University).
In the fictional world of Coach, Minnesota State takes the place of the University of Minnesota in the Big Ten Conference
; in several episodes the characters talk about games with Big Ten schools like the University of Iowa
and Michigan State University
. The Minnesota State Screaming Eagle school colors of Purple and Gold are also the colors for Minnesota State University, Mankato
and the Minnesota Vikings
. The University of Minnesota has school colors of Maroon and Gold. The location for the fictional Minnesota State University is never established. It is not located within the Twin Cities. Outdoor shots of campus and stadium were filmed at Kinnick Stadium
at the University of Iowa
in Iowa City, Iowa
, where creator Barry Kemp went to college. In several episodes Hayden Fox refers to visiting Christine in the Twin Cities and it is evident that he is maintaining a long-distance relationship.
The Coach opening theme by J.A.C. Redford, which also served as the Minnesota State Screaming Eagles school song, bears more than a passing resemblance to the Minnesota March
authored by John Phillip Sousa. The theme song was recorded by the Iowa State University
Marching Band, and the band was also shown in the opening sequence of the show.
In the 1993–1994 television season, Hayden Fox led his Minnesota State Screaming Eagles to victory in the Pioneer Bowl, held at the Alamodome
, winning the National Championship. In real life, Florida State
won the National Championship that season. The Alamodome opened in May 1993, in time for the real-life 1993 football season. However, the first Alamo Bowl
and Pioneer Bowl
games had not been played yet. Also, the real-life Pioneer Bowl is not even an NCAA Division I game, but rather is a postseason game played between the champions of two Division II conferences whose members are all historically black schools
. Footage from the 1993 edition of the Wisconsin
vs. Minnesota rivalry game
played in the Metrodome
was used for the actual game to represent Minnesota State and the fictional West Texas University (not to be confused with the real West Texas A&M University
or Texas Western College, now known as UTEP). Al Michaels
provides the commentary during the game.
team. He accepts the head coaching position with the (fictional) expansion team the Orlando Breakers, owned by recent widow Doris Sherman (played by Katherine Helmond
). Sherman, however, is more interested in making money off of the team as well as gimmicks (such as asking if Hayden would like to coach a basketball team she was thinking of buying after selling the Breakers and trading away their first round draft pick for a pair of cruise tickets) than she is in letting Coach Fox guide the Breakers to success on the football field. Nearly the entire crew from Minnesota State followed Fox to Orlando, including Luther and Dauber, who remained his assistant coaches. In the final season, Hayden is able to coach the Breakers to a wild card
spot in the NFL Playoffs
, but loses to the Buffalo Bills
in that playoff game at Buffalo.
The name Orlando Breakers was a salute to the defunct USFL and the Portland Breakers
, New Orleans Breakers, and Boston Breakers
. The Breakers themselves were a parody of the fellow Florida
-based Jacksonville Jaguars
, who like the Breakers joined the NFL in 1995
as an expansion team
and made the playoffs their second season as a wild card team and, like the Breakers, played the Bills in their first playoff game. (Unlike the Breakers, the Jaguars came out victorious, 30-27, eventually losing to the New England Patriots
20-6 in the AFC Championship Game
.) In addition, an episode of Coach in which Sherman tries to move the Breakers to Los Angeles
has shown to be a bit of foreshadowing
for the Jaguars long after the series ended, as the Jaguars have since been mentioned as possibly moving to Los Angeles
due to poor attendance in Jacksonville, Florida
. Another tie-in between the Breakers and the Jaguars was that the very first game the latter played in, the 1995 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game
(against their expansion brethren the Carolina Panthers
), aired on ABC, the same network as Coach.
aired on ABC
on May 14, 1997. The final scene in the final episode featured the whole cast thanking the audience for nine years of the show, with cast member Jerry Van Dyke
denying the series ending thinking the show must go on. But the cast and director finally tell Van Dyke that the show is truly over, with Van Dyke still denying the show's finale: as the lights go out, Van Dyke mumbles, "I'm still coming to work on Monday."
The final episode also includes an epilogue showing that Dauber succeeded Hayden as the head coach of the Breakers, winning back-to-back Super Bowl
championships and going on to join the Monday Night Football announcing team after his retirement from football.
, and TBS.
aired original episodes of Coach on Monday night, before Monday Night Football
, as part of a football-themed night. This was successful on the United States East Coast, where MNF games aired from 9:00 pm – 12:30 am, local time. However, on the West Coast, MNF games aired from 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm (with possible overtime
), leaving some Monday network programming with no time slots. During this interval, the show was aired at unusual hours on the West Coast. For instance, Seattle ABC affiliate KOMO
aired new episodes of Coach on Saturday afternoons (coincidentally, ABC also aired college football games
most of the time on Saturday afternoons). Some fans have cited this time-slot displacement on the West Coast as a reason for low ratings in season seven. Coach was moved to Tuesday nights the following season.
has released the first three seasons of Coach on DVD in Region 1. Two different versions were released of the first season- a regular edition and a limited edition which featured special packaging (a playbook). It is now confirmed that the fourth season will be released on March 15, 2011.
Universal Pictures UK released season 1 on DVD in Region 2 on August 7, 2006.
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
from 1989 to 1997. The series starred Craig T. Nelson
Craig T. Nelson
Craig Theodore Nelson is an American actor. He is probably best known for his Emmy-winning roles as Hayden Fox on the TV series Coach, and as Steve Freeling in the 1982 film Poltergeist. He also starred in The Incredibles in 2004 as Mr...
as Hayden Fox, head coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
of the fictional Division I-A college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
team, the Minnesota State University Screaming Eagles. The program also starred Jerry Van Dyke
Jerry Van Dyke
Jerry Van Dyke is an American comedian and actor. He is the younger brother of comedian and actor Dick Van Dyke, and made his acting debut on The Dick Van Dyke Show with several guest appearances as Rob Petrie's brother, Stacey...
as Luther Van Dam and Bill Fagerbakke
Bill Fagerbakke
William Mark "Bill" Fagerbakke is an American actor and voice actor. He is well-known for his long-running-roles as Patrick Star in the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants and "Dauber" Dybinski on the sitcom Coach....
as Michael "Dauber" Dybinski, assistant coaches under Fox. The role of Hayden's girlfriend (and later, wife) Christine Armstrong, a television news anchor, was played by Shelley Fabares
Shelley Fabares
Michele Ann Marie "Shelley" Fabares is an American actress and singer. Fabares is known for her roles as Donna Reed's oldest child, Mary Stone, on The Donna Reed Show , and as Craig T. Nelson's love interest and eventual wife, Christine Armstrong Fox, on the sitcom Coach. She also was Elvis...
.
Plot
In early seasons, Coach Fox continues to come to grips with the emerging womanhood of his "little girl," Kelly, now a campus coed played by Clare CareyClare Carey
Clare Carey is a film and television actress.-Background:Carey was born at a Catholic mission in Zimbabwe where her father and mother were serving...
, who enrolled at Minnesota State mainly because she wanted to be near her father. Kelly dated, and eventually married in the second season, theater mime Stuart Rosebrock (Kris Kamm
Kris Kamm
Kris Kamm is an American actor. Most recognizable from his role in Coach.Kris Kamm was born in Evanston, Illinois. An aspiring actor, he earned his first breaks in the business doing small parts on television shows...
), whom Hayden could not stand. Their marriage ended in 1991 after Stuart, returning from filming his own kids TV show Buzzy the Beaver, told Kelly that he'd met another woman. While overtly supporting Kelly with her heartbreak, Coach Fox clandestinely couldn't have been happier to have 'Stu' out of both of their lives. After graduating from Minnesota State in 1993, Kelly got a job at a major ad agency job in New York. She was only seen in occasional guest spots thereafter. Much of Hayden's coaching job, besides mentoring his players, was working with his assistants Luther van Dam (Jerry van Dyke), a lifelong bachelor who often struggled with self-confidence and Michael "Dauber" Daubinski, a stereotypical "dumb jock" whose ongoing joke was he had not yet graduated Minnesota State despite being enrolled for several years, but would often surprisingly be of intellectual help to the team, usually learned from a class he was attending or that he was a fan of Nova
NOVA (TV series)
Nova is a popular science television series from the U.S. produced by WGBH Boston. It can be seen on the Public Broadcasting Service in the United States, and in more than 100 other countries...
. Another person Hayden could not stand was the ladies' basketball coach Judy Watkins, whom Hayden often got into prank wars with, but was complicated by the fact Dauber dated her until 1995 when she confessed to an affair after returning from a coaching job in France. Also seen throughout the run was Minnesota State athletic director Howard Burleigh (Kenneth Kimmins
Kenneth Kimmins
Kenneth Kimmins is an American actor, best known for his roles as Doctor Klein on Lois and Clark and Howard Burleigh, the Athletic Director of Minnesota State University on the hit TV show, Coach.Kimmins was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Charlotte and Edward F...
) and his nutty wife Shirley (Georgia Engel), who were close friends with Hayden and Christine. At the end of season 7, Hayden is offered a job with a fictional NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
expansion team called the "Orlando Breakers". Hayden agrees and takes his coaching staff with him for the final two seasons. The Foxes adopted a baby boy named Timothy (played by twins Brennan and Brian Felker). Many season 9 episodes focused on the couple's newfound joy of parenthood, as they had been unable to conceive a child together before they decided to adopt.
Origins
The series was originally intended to reflect the University of MinnesotaUniversity of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
, although the school would later retract its support. The creator and producer of the show, Barry Kemp
Barry Kemp (TV producer)
Barry Kemp is a television producer, director and writer, and a movie producer. He has written for numerous TV shows throughout his career, but his two best known creations are Newhart, which lasted for eight seasons on CBS and Coach, which lasted for nine seasons on ABC...
, an alumnus of the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
paid homage to his alma mater by naming the main character of Coach (Hayden Fox) after the University of Iowa's long-time football coach Hayden Fry
Hayden Fry
John Hayden Fry is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Southern Methodist University , North Texas State University, now the University of North Texas , and the University of Iowa , compiling a career college football record of 232–178–10...
. Many of the exterior shots of "Minnesota State" are actually of the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
, usually of students walking around the Iowa Memorial Union in downtown Iowa City
Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City is a city in Johnson County, State of Iowa. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of about 67,862, making it the sixth-largest city in the state. Iowa City is the county seat of Johnson County and home to the University of Iowa...
. The screen shot when returning from commercial breaks is of the outside of the Hillcrest dormitory
Dormitory
A dormitory, often shortened to dorm, in the United States is a residence hall consisting of sleeping quarters or entire buildings primarily providing sleeping and residential quarters for large numbers of people, often boarding school, college or university students...
. There are also numerous shots of Quadrangle Residence Hall as well as the Field House, which once served as the venue for University of Iowa basketball.
Principal cast
| Actor | Role | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Craig T. Nelson Craig T. Nelson Craig Theodore Nelson is an American actor. He is probably best known for his Emmy-winning roles as Hayden Fox on the TV series Coach, and as Steve Freeling in the 1982 film Poltergeist. He also starred in The Incredibles in 2004 as Mr... |
Hayden Fox | 1989–1997 |
| Shelley Fabares Shelley Fabares Michele Ann Marie "Shelley" Fabares is an American actress and singer. Fabares is known for her roles as Donna Reed's oldest child, Mary Stone, on The Donna Reed Show , and as Craig T. Nelson's love interest and eventual wife, Christine Armstrong Fox, on the sitcom Coach. She also was Elvis... |
Christine Armstrong | 1989–1997 |
| Jerry Van Dyke Jerry Van Dyke Jerry Van Dyke is an American comedian and actor. He is the younger brother of comedian and actor Dick Van Dyke, and made his acting debut on The Dick Van Dyke Show with several guest appearances as Rob Petrie's brother, Stacey... |
Luther Van Dam | 1989–1997 |
| Bill Fagerbakke Bill Fagerbakke William Mark "Bill" Fagerbakke is an American actor and voice actor. He is well-known for his long-running-roles as Patrick Star in the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants and "Dauber" Dybinski on the sitcom Coach.... |
Michael "Dauber" Dybinski | 1989–1997 |
| Clare Carey Clare Carey Clare Carey is a film and television actress.-Background:Carey was born at a Catholic mission in Zimbabwe where her father and mother were serving... |
Kelly Fox | 1989–1994 |
| Kris Kamm Kris Kamm Kris Kamm is an American actor. Most recognizable from his role in Coach.Kris Kamm was born in Evanston, Illinois. An aspiring actor, he earned his first breaks in the business doing small parts on television shows... |
Stuart Rosebrock | 1989–1991 |
| Kenneth Kimmins Kenneth Kimmins Kenneth Kimmins is an American actor, best known for his roles as Doctor Klein on Lois and Clark and Howard Burleigh, the Athletic Director of Minnesota State University on the hit TV show, Coach.Kimmins was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Charlotte and Edward F... |
Howard Burleigh | 1989–1997 |
| Katherine Helmond Katherine Helmond Katherine Marie Helmond is an American film, theater and television actress, who played Emily Dickinson on Meeting of Minds, as well as such fictional characters as Jessica Tate on Soap, Mona Robinson on Who's the Boss?, Doris Sherman on Coach, and Lois Whelan on Everybody Loves... |
Doris Sherman | 1995–1997 |
Recurring roles and guest stars
- Troy AikmanTroy AikmanTroy Kenneth Aikman is a former American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League. The number one overall draft pick in 1989, Aikman played twelve consecutive seasons as quarterback with the Cowboys...
as Himself - George Allen as Himself
- Phyllis AveryPhyllis AveryPhyllis Avery was an American television and film actress.-Early life and career:Avery was born in New York City to Evelyn and author Stephen Morehouse Avery. Her father hailed from Webster Groves, Missouri, near St. Louis. Her first role was as Marjorie in the 1951 film Queen for a Day based on...
- Rick BarryRick BarryRichard Francis Dennis Barry III , better known as Rick Barry, is a retired American professional basketball player. He is considered by many veteran basketball observers to be one of the greatest pure small forwards of all time as a result of his very precise outside shot, uncanny court vision,...
as Himself - Raye BirkRaye BirkRaye Birk is an American film and television actor famous for playing the role of Papshmir in the first and last of the Naked Gun movies. He was the main villain in Naked Gun 33: The Final Insult...
as Riley Pringle - Jim BoekeJim BoekeJames Frederick Boeke is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams, the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints. He played college football at Heidelberg College and was drafted in the nineteen round of the 1960 NFL Draft.In the...
as Mr. Dybinski - Pat Crawford BrownPat Crawford Brown-Personal life:Brown was born in New York City, the daughter of Charlotte and Thomas J. Brown. She is the aunt of folk singer Christine Lavin.She was married to Calvin B...
as Mrs. Thorkelson - Dick ButkusDick ButkusRichard Marvin "Dick" Butkus is a former American football player for the Chicago Bears. He was drafted in 1965 and he is also widely regarded as one of the best and most durable linebackers of all time. Butkus starred as a football player for the University of Illinois and the Chicago Bears. He...
as Himself - K CallanK CallanK Callan is an American actress known for playing Clark Kent's mother Martha in the ABC television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman....
as Marion - Gil ChristnerGil ChristnerGil Christner is an American actor, writer and comedian living and working in Los Angeles.-Early life:...
as Father O'Malley - Tim ConwayTim ConwayThomas Daniel "Tim" Conway is an American comedian and actor, primarily known for his roles in sitcoms, films and television. Conway is best known for his role as the inept second-in-command officer, Ensign Charles Parker, to Lt...
as Kenny Montague - Mike DitkaMike DitkaMichael Keller Ditka, Jr. is a former American football NFL player, television commentator, and coach. Ditka coached the Chicago Bears for 11 years and New Orleans Saints for three years. Ditka and Tom Flores are the only two people to win Super Bowls as a player, an assistant coach, and a head...
as Himself - Vlade DivacVlade DivacVlade Divac is a retired Yugoslav and Serbian professional basketball player who spent most of his career in the NBA. At , he played center and was known for his passing skills...
as Delivery Boy - Christopher B. DuncanChristopher B. DuncanChristopher B. Duncan is an American actor. He is best known for portraying Braxton P. Hartnabrig on The Jamie Foxx Show and he is also known for playing President Barack Obama on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He portrayed Obama in the 2010 film My Name is Khan as well.Duncan received his B.F.A....
as Bo Whitley - Georgia Engel as Shirley Burleigh
- Nanette FabrayNanette FabrayNanette Fabray is an American actress, comedienne, singer, dancer, and activist. She began her career performing in vaudeville as a child and then became a musical theatre actress during the 1940s and 1950s, winning a Tony Award in 1949 for her performance in Love Life...
as Mildred Armstrong - Mike FarrellMike FarrellMichael Joseph "Mike" Farrell is an American actor, best known for his role as Captain B.J. Hunnicutt on the television series M*A*S*H . He is an activist for politically liberal causes....
as Jeffrey - Brennan Felker as Timothy David ("T.D.") Fox
- Brian Felker as Timothy David ("T.D.") Fox
- Frank GiffordFrank GiffordFrancis Newton "Frank" Gifford is a Hall of Fame former American football player and American sportscaster.-Early life:Gifford was born in Santa Monica, California, the son of Lola Mae and Weldon Gifford, an oil driller....
as Himself - Kathie Lee GiffordKathie Lee GiffordKathie Lee Gifford is an American television host, singer, songwriter and actress, best known for her 15-year run on the talk show Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, which she co-hosted with Regis Philbin...
as Herself - Beth GrantBeth GrantBeth Grant is an American actress. She is known for often playing characters who are conservatives, religious zealots or sticklers for rules....
as Martha - Bob GrieseBob GrieseRobert Allen "Bob" Griese is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who earned All-American honors with the Purdue Boilermakers before being drafted in 1967 by the American Football League's Miami Dolphins...
as Himself - Mary Hart as Herself
- Lou HoltzLou HoltzLouis Leo "Lou" Holtz is a retired American football coach, and active sportscaster, author, and motivational speaker in the United States...
as Himself - Monica HoranMonica HoranMonica Horan is an American actress from Darby, Pennsylvania.-Biography:Horan graduated from Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School for Girls in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania in 1980. She attended Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, graduating with a degree in Theater Performance in 1984...
as Maureen - Keith JacksonKeith JacksonKeith Jackson is an American sportscaster, known for his long career with ABC Sports , his coverage of college football , his style of folksy, down-to-earth commentary, and his distinctive voice, with its deep cadence, and operatic tone considered "like Edward R...
as Himself - Jimmy JohnsonJimmy Johnson (American football coach)James William "Jimmy" Johnson is an American former NCAA and National Football League head coach. As of 2010, he is currently an analyst for Fox NFL Sunday, the Fox network's NFL pregame show. He was the first football coach whose teams won both an NCAA Division 1A National Championship and a...
as Himself - Keyshawn JohnsonKeyshawn JohnsonJoseph Keyshawn Johnson is a former American football wide receiver, interior designer, business executive, author and current television broadcaster for sports channel ESPN. He retired from football on May 23, 2007 after an eleven-year career in the National Football League...
as Himself - Jerry JonesJerry JonesJerral "Jerry" Wayne Jones is the owner and general manager of the NFL team, the Dallas Cowboys.-Early life:Jones was born in Los Angeles, California. His family moved to North Little Rock, Arkansas when he was an infant. Jones was a star running back at North Little Rock High School...
as Himself - Vicki Juditz as Rosemary
- Lenore KasdorfLenore KasdorfLenore Kasdorf is an American actress.-Biography:Kasdorf was born in New York City to an army colonel father. She is best known for her role as the alluring and promiscuous nurse Rita Stapleton Bauer, whom she played from 1975 to 1981 in the soap opera Guiding Light, and for her performance as Mrs...
as Beth Fox - Lisa KudrowLisa KudrowLisa Valerie Kudrow is an American actress, best known for her role as Phoebe Buffay in the television sitcom Friends, for which she received many accolades including an Emmy Award and two Screen Actors Guild Awards...
as Lauren - A. J. LangerA. J. LangerAllison Joy Langer Courtenay, Lady Courtenay , credited as A. J. Langer, is an American actress best known for her role as Rayanne Graff on the television series My So-Called Life.-Career:...
as Julie - Lucy LiuLucy LiuLucy Alexis Liu is an American actress and film producer. She became known for playing the role of the vicious and ill-mannered Ling Woo in the television series Ally McBeal , and has also appeared in several Hollywood films including Charlie's Angels, Chicago, Kill Bill, and Kung Fu Panda.-Early...
as Nicole Wong - Julio Oscar MechosoJulio Oscar MechosoJulio Oscar Mechoso is an American actor. He is occasionally credited as Julio Mechoso.Mechoso is a character actor in both television and film. He has appeared in several high-profile films, such as Grindhouse, Bad Boys and the controversial Ken Park. His television credits include Miami Vice,...
as Martin
- Dick MartinDick MartinDick Martin may refer to:*Dick Martin , American illustrator, particularly associated with the Land of Oz*Dick Martin , co-host of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In*Dickie Martin, British test pilot-See also:*Richard Martin...
as Peter Plunkett - Al MichaelsAl MichaelsAlan Richard "Al" Michaels is an American television sportscaster. Now employed by NBC Sports after nearly three decades with ABC Sports, Michaels is one of the most prominent members of his profession...
as Himself - Priscilla Morrill as Mrs. Rizzendough
- Noah Nelson as Kevin
- Tom PostonTom PostonThomas Gordon "Tom" Poston was an American television and film actor. He starred on television in a career that began in 1950...
as Dr. Art Hibke, dentist / jeweler - Robert ProskyRobert ProskyRobert Prosky was an American stage, film, and television actor.-Life and career:Prosky, a Polish American, was born Robert Joseph Porzuczek in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Helen and Joseph Porzuczek. His father was a grocer and butcher...
as Jake "The Snake" Connelly - Rob SchneiderRob SchneiderRobert Michael "Rob" Schneider is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and director. A stand-up comic and veteran of the NBC sketch-comedy series Saturday Night Live, Schneider has gone on to a successful career in feature films, including starring roles in the comedy films Deuce Bigalow:...
as Leonard Pierre Kraleman - Pam StonePam StonePam Stone is an American actress, comedian, and talk radio host.Stone starred in the television series Coach for seven seasons as the character, Judy Watkins....
as Judy Watkins - Hank StramHank StramHenry Louis "Hank" Stram was an American football coach. He is best known for his 15-year tenure with the American Football League's Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs and the Chiefs of the NFL. Stram won three AFL Championships and Super Bowl IV with the Chiefs...
as Himself - Robin StrasserRobin StrasserRobin Strasser is an American actress.Strasser is best known for her Daytime Emmy Award-winning portrayal of Dr. Dorian Lord on the ABC daytime soap opera One Life to Live. Strasser stepped into the role in March 1979, first appearing Friday, April 13, 1979 and left in 1987, returning from...
as Elaine Tewksbury - Barry SwitzerBarry SwitzerBarry Switzer is a former football coach, active in the college and professional ranks between 1962 and 1997. He has one of the highest winning percentages of any college football coach in history, and is one of only two head coaches to win both a college football national championship and a...
as Himself - Todd SusmanTodd SusmanTodd Susman is an American actor. His better-known roles include Officer Shifflett on Newhart and the unseen P.A. system announcer on the television series M*A*S*H, a role he shared with Sal Viscuso...
as Bill - Rita Taggart as Ruthanne
- Joe TheismannJoe TheismannJoseph Robert "Joe" Theismann is a former quarterback in the National Football League and Canadian Football League . He achieved his most enduring fame in his 12 seasons playing for the Washington Redskins, where he was a two-time Pro Bowler and quarterback of the winning team in Super Bowl XVII...
as Himself - Johnny UnitasJohnny UnitasJohn Constantine Unitas , known as Johnny Unitas or "Johnny U", and nicknamed "The Golden Arm", was a professional American football player in the 1950s through the 1970s, spending the majority of his career with the Baltimore Colts. He was a record-setting quarterback, and the National Football...
as Himself - John Valdetero as John
- Dick Van DykeDick Van DykeRichard Wayne "Dick" Van Dyke is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer with a career spanning six decades. He is the older brother of Jerry Van Dyke, and father of Barry Van Dyke...
as Extra - Bobby VintonBobby VintonBobby Vinton is an American pop music singer of Polish origin. In pop music circles, he became known as "The Polish Prince".-Early life:...
as Himself
Family connections
- Nanette FabrayNanette FabrayNanette Fabray is an American actress, comedienne, singer, dancer, and activist. She began her career performing in vaudeville as a child and then became a musical theatre actress during the 1940s and 1950s, winning a Tony Award in 1949 for her performance in Love Life...
, Shelley Fabares's aunt, appeared as Christine Armstrong's mother Mildred in four episodes. - Mike FarrellMike FarrellMichael Joseph "Mike" Farrell is an American actor, best known for his role as Captain B.J. Hunnicutt on the television series M*A*S*H . He is an activist for politically liberal causes....
, Shelley Fabares's husband, appeared as Jeffrey in one episode. - Noah Nelson, Craig T. Nelson's son, appeared as Kevin, the biological father of the baby whom Hayden and Christine Fox adopt, in two episodes. He also appeared as Minnesota State football player Cody Wilson in one episode and as a delivery boy in another episode.
- Dick Van DykeDick Van DykeRichard Wayne "Dick" Van Dyke is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer with a career spanning six decades. He is the older brother of Jerry Van Dyke, and father of Barry Van Dyke...
, Jerry Van Dyke's brother, appeared as an uncredited extra in one episode.
Minnesota State University
The fictional Minnesota State University was intended to reflect the University of MinnesotaUniversity of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
and its team the Golden Gophers
Minnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
, but the University of Minnesota withdrew its approval. At the time no school was named Minnesota State University, but since then two schools in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System comprises 31 colleges and universities, including 24 two-year colleges and seven state universities...
have renamed themselves such: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Minnesota State University, Mankato is a public four-year university located in Mankato, Minnesota, a community of 53,000 located southwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul. As of Fall 2011, the student body is the third-largest in the state of Minnesota with over 15,000 students...
(formerly Mankato State University) and Minnesota State University Moorhead
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Minnesota State University Moorhead is a four-year, public university located in Moorhead, Minnesota. The school has an enrollment of nearly 7,500 students and 337 full-time faculty members. MSUM is a part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system...
(formerly Moorhead State University).
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
; in several episodes the characters talk about games with Big Ten schools like the University of Iowa
Iowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
and Michigan State University
Michigan State Spartans football
The Michigan State Spartans football program represents Michigan State University in college football as members of the Big Ten Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level...
. The Minnesota State Screaming Eagle school colors of Purple and Gold are also the colors for Minnesota State University, Mankato
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Minnesota State University, Mankato is a public four-year university located in Mankato, Minnesota, a community of 53,000 located southwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul. As of Fall 2011, the student body is the third-largest in the state of Minnesota with over 15,000 students...
and the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
. The University of Minnesota has school colors of Maroon and Gold. The location for the fictional Minnesota State University is never established. It is not located within the Twin Cities. Outdoor shots of campus and stadium were filmed at Kinnick Stadium
Kinnick Stadium
Kinnick Stadium, formerly known as Iowa Stadium, and known in the area simply as Kinnick, is a stadium located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the home stadium of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, in the sport of college football...
at the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
in Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, where creator Barry Kemp went to college. In several episodes Hayden Fox refers to visiting Christine in the Twin Cities and it is evident that he is maintaining a long-distance relationship.
The Coach opening theme by J.A.C. Redford, which also served as the Minnesota State Screaming Eagles school song, bears more than a passing resemblance to the Minnesota March
Minnesota March
Minnesota March is a march for wind band written by John Phillip Sousa for the University of Minnesota. It is now used as one of the university's school songs, with lyrics written by university band director Michael Jalma. The piece is regularly performed by the Minnesota Marching Band, both on...
authored by John Phillip Sousa. The theme song was recorded by the Iowa State University
Iowa State University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
Marching Band, and the band was also shown in the opening sequence of the show.
In the 1993–1994 television season, Hayden Fox led his Minnesota State Screaming Eagles to victory in the Pioneer Bowl, held at the Alamodome
Alamodome
The Alamodome is a domed 65,000 seat, multi-purpose facility that is primarily used as a football/basketball stadium and convention center in San Antonio, Texas, U.S...
, winning the National Championship. In real life, Florida State
Florida State Seminoles football
The Florida State Seminoles football team represents Florida State University in college football. The Florida State Seminoles compete in NCAA Division I-FBS and are members of the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
won the National Championship that season. The Alamodome opened in May 1993, in time for the real-life 1993 football season. However, the first Alamo Bowl
Alamo Bowl
The Alamo Bowl is a major American college football bowl game played annually since 1993 in the 65,000-seat Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. It matches the second choice team from the Pacific-12 Conference and the third choice team from the Big 12 Conference.Traditionally, the Alamo Bowl has been...
and Pioneer Bowl
Pioneer Bowl
The Pioneer Bowl is a bowl game between football teams from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and 2007 and is one of two bowl games between historically black colleges and universities...
games had not been played yet. Also, the real-life Pioneer Bowl is not even an NCAA Division I game, but rather is a postseason game played between the champions of two Division II conferences whose members are all historically black schools
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Historically black colleges and universities are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before 1964 with the intention of serving the black community....
. Footage from the 1993 edition of the Wisconsin
1993 Wisconsin Badgers football team
The 1993 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin in the 1993 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Season:Over the course of the season, Wisconsin was the top team in the Big Ten in terms of passing efficiency, with QB Darrell Bevell recording an impressive 155.2 in...
vs. Minnesota rivalry game
Paul Bunyan's Axe
Paul Bunyan's Axe, named after the mythical giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan, is a prize awarded every year to the winner of the college football game between Minnesota and Wisconsin.-History:...
played in the Metrodome
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University...
was used for the actual game to represent Minnesota State and the fictional West Texas University (not to be confused with the real West Texas A&M University
West Texas A&M University
West Texas A&M University , part of the Texas A&M University System, is a public university located in Canyon, Texas, a small city south of Amarillo. West Texas A&M opened on September 20, 1910...
or Texas Western College, now known as UTEP). Al Michaels
Al Michaels
Alan Richard "Al" Michaels is an American television sportscaster. Now employed by NBC Sports after nearly three decades with ABC Sports, Michaels is one of the most prominent members of his profession...
provides the commentary during the game.
Orlando Breakers
In the 1995 season, Hayden Fox gets a chance to fulfill his ultimate dream and become the head coach of an NFLNational Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
team. He accepts the head coaching position with the (fictional) expansion team the Orlando Breakers, owned by recent widow Doris Sherman (played by Katherine Helmond
Katherine Helmond
Katherine Marie Helmond is an American film, theater and television actress, who played Emily Dickinson on Meeting of Minds, as well as such fictional characters as Jessica Tate on Soap, Mona Robinson on Who's the Boss?, Doris Sherman on Coach, and Lois Whelan on Everybody Loves...
). Sherman, however, is more interested in making money off of the team as well as gimmicks (such as asking if Hayden would like to coach a basketball team she was thinking of buying after selling the Breakers and trading away their first round draft pick for a pair of cruise tickets) than she is in letting Coach Fox guide the Breakers to success on the football field. Nearly the entire crew from Minnesota State followed Fox to Orlando, including Luther and Dauber, who remained his assistant coaches. In the final season, Hayden is able to coach the Breakers to a wild card
Wild card (sports)
The term wild card refers broadly to a tournament or playoff berth awarded to an individual or team that has not qualified through normal play.-International sports:...
spot in the NFL Playoffs
NFL playoffs
The National Football League playoffs are a single-elimination tournament held at the end of the regular season to determine the NFL champion. Six teams from each of the league's two conferences qualify for the playoffs based on regular season records, and a tie-breaking procedure exists in the...
, but loses to the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in that playoff game at Buffalo.
The name Orlando Breakers was a salute to the defunct USFL and the Portland Breakers
Portland Breakers
The Portland Breakers were a professional American Football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. Before moving to Portland, Oregon, the franchise was previously in Boston, Massachusetts as the Boston Breakers and New Orleans, Louisiana as the New Orleans...
, New Orleans Breakers, and Boston Breakers
Portland Breakers
The Portland Breakers were a professional American Football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. Before moving to Portland, Oregon, the franchise was previously in Boston, Massachusetts as the Boston Breakers and New Orleans, Louisiana as the New Orleans...
. The Breakers themselves were a parody of the fellow Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
-based Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, who like the Breakers joined the NFL in 1995
1995 NFL season
The 1995 NFL season was the 76th regular season of the National Football League. The league expanded to 30 teams with the addition of the Carolina Panthers and the Jacksonville Jaguars...
as an expansion team
Expansion team
An expansion team is a brand new team in a sports league. The term is most commonly used in reference to the North American major professional sports leagues, but is applied to sports leagues worldwide that use a closed franchise system of league membership. The term comes from the expansion of the...
and made the playoffs their second season as a wild card team and, like the Breakers, played the Bills in their first playoff game. (Unlike the Breakers, the Jaguars came out victorious, 30-27, eventually losing to the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
20-6 in the AFC Championship Game
AFC Championship Game
The American Football Conference Championship Game is one of the two final playoff matches of the National Football League, the largest professional American football league in the United States. The game is played on the penultimate Sunday in January and determines the champion of the American...
.) In addition, an episode of Coach in which Sherman tries to move the Breakers to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
has shown to be a bit of foreshadowing
Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing or adumbrating is a literary device in which an author indistinctly suggests certain plot developments that might come later in the story.-Repetitive designation and Chekhov's gun:...
for the Jaguars long after the series ended, as the Jaguars have since been mentioned as possibly moving to Los Angeles
History of the National Football League in Los Angeles
Professional American football, especially its established top level, the National Football League, has had a long history in Los Angeles, the center of the second-largest media market in the United States. Since 1995, Los Angeles has been by far the largest U.S. market without an NFL team...
due to poor attendance in Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
. Another tie-in between the Breakers and the Jaguars was that the very first game the latter played in, the 1995 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game
Pro Football Hall of Fame Game
The Pro Football Hall of Game is an annual National Football League exhibition game that is held the weekend of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's induction ceremonies. The game is played at Fawcett Stadium, which is located next door to the Hall of Fame building in Canton, Ohio...
(against their expansion brethren the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
), aired on ABC, the same network as Coach.
Series finale
The final episode of the sitcomSeries finale
A series finale refers to the last installment of a series with a narrative presented through mediums such as television, film and literature. In many Commonwealth countries, the term final episode is commonly used in regards to a television series...
aired on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
on May 14, 1997. The final scene in the final episode featured the whole cast thanking the audience for nine years of the show, with cast member Jerry Van Dyke
Jerry Van Dyke
Jerry Van Dyke is an American comedian and actor. He is the younger brother of comedian and actor Dick Van Dyke, and made his acting debut on The Dick Van Dyke Show with several guest appearances as Rob Petrie's brother, Stacey...
denying the series ending thinking the show must go on. But the cast and director finally tell Van Dyke that the show is truly over, with Van Dyke still denying the show's finale: as the lights go out, Van Dyke mumbles, "I'm still coming to work on Monday."
The final episode also includes an epilogue showing that Dauber succeeded Hayden as the head coach of the Breakers, winning back-to-back Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
championships and going on to join the Monday Night Football announcing team after his retirement from football.
Syndication
Reruns currently air on local syndication in select cities, and on Deja View and Comedy Gold in Canada. Reruns have previously aired on WGN America, USA NetworkUSA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
, and TBS.
Television Ratings
| Season | TV Season | Ranking | Household Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1989–1990 | #18 | 15.65 |
| 2 | 1990–1991 | #18 | 14.24 |
| 3 | 1991–1992 | #10 | 15.38 |
| 4 | 1992–1993 | #6 | 16.29 |
| 5 | 1993–1994 | #6 | 16.39 |
| 6 | 1994–1995 | #53 | 10.5 |
| 7 | 1995–1996 | #15 | 12.37 |
| 8 | 1996–1997 | #64 | 8.1 |
Awards
- Emmy AwardEmmy AwardAn Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
s:- 1992: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor – Comedy Series (Craig T. Nelson)
- 1996: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor – Comedy Series (Tim ConwayTim ConwayThomas Daniel "Tim" Conway is an American comedian and actor, primarily known for his roles in sitcoms, films and television. Conway is best known for his role as the inept second-in-command officer, Ensign Charles Parker, to Lt...
)
- American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Awards:
- 1992: Top TV Series
- 1993: Top TV Series
- 1994: Top TV Series
- 1995: Top TV Series
- 1996: Top TV Series
Scheduling conflict with Monday Night Football
For season seven, ABCAmerican Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
aired original episodes of Coach on Monday night, before Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
, as part of a football-themed night. This was successful on the United States East Coast, where MNF games aired from 9:00 pm – 12:30 am, local time. However, on the West Coast, MNF games aired from 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm (with possible overtime
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
), leaving some Monday network programming with no time slots. During this interval, the show was aired at unusual hours on the West Coast. For instance, Seattle ABC affiliate KOMO
KOMO-TV
KOMO-TV, virtual channel 4, is a television station in Seattle, Washington. It is an affiliate of ABC and broadcasts on digital channel 38. KOMO-TV is the flagship station of Fisher Communications, and its studios and offices are co-located with sister radio stations KOMO , KVI , and KPLZ-FM ...
aired new episodes of Coach on Saturday afternoons (coincidentally, ABC also aired college football games
College Football on ABC
ESPN College Football on ABC presented by Kay Jewelers is a presentation of the American Broadcasting Company's regular season American college football television package...
most of the time on Saturday afternoons). Some fans have cited this time-slot displacement on the West Coast as a reason for low ratings in season seven. Coach was moved to Tuesday nights the following season.
DVD releases
Universal Studios Home EntertainmentUniversal Studios Home Entertainment
Universal Studios Home Entertainment is the home video division of Universal Pictures...
has released the first three seasons of Coach on DVD in Region 1. Two different versions were released of the first season- a regular edition and a limited edition which featured special packaging (a playbook). It is now confirmed that the fourth season will be released on March 15, 2011.
Universal Pictures UK released season 1 on DVD in Region 2 on August 7, 2006.
| DVD Name | Ep# | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| The First Season | 13 | June 13, 2006 |
| The Second Season | 20 | May 15, 2007 |
| The Third Season | 22 | February 19, 2008 |
| The Fourth Season | 21 | March 15, 2011 |