| Coach of the Year | |
|---|---|
![]()  | |
| Directed by | Don Medford | 
| Starring | Robert Conrad Erin Gray  | 
| Music by | Pete Carpenter Mike Post  | 
| Country of origin | USA | 
| Original language | English | 
| Production | |
| Producer | John Ashley | 
| Cinematography | Paul Vombrack | 
| Budget | $1 million[1] | 
| Original release | |
| Release | 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]
The film was very popular.[3]
Plot
Jim Brandon (Robert Conrad), 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
References
- ↑ Lamont, John (1990). "The John Ashley Filmography". Trash Compactor (Volume 2 No. 5 ed.). p. 27.
 - ↑ Alvin H. Marill (2009). Sports on Television. Praeger, 2009. ISBN 978-0313351051.
 - ↑ Lamont, John (199). "The John Ashley Interview Part 2". Trash Compactor (Volume 2 No. 6 ed.).
 - ↑ Vagg, Stephen (December 2019). "A Hell of a Life: The Nine Lives of John Ashley". Diabolique Magazine.
 
External links
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