The legendary high school football coach Gary Gaines portrayed in "Friday Night Lights" has died after battling Alzheimer's, his family announced Monday. He was 73.
After a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease, it is with great sadness that the family of Coach Gary Gaines announces his peaceful passing this afternoon.
Thank you for remembering our family in your thoughts and prayers. Memorial plans will be announced in the coming days."
After getting his start in 1977 at Petersburg High School in Texas, Gaines went on to coach for over four decades, most notably at Permian High School.
Gaines was an assistant coach at Permian under head coach John Wilkins in 1980, when the team won the Texas 5A state championship.
But Gaines will be best remembered for how he was portrayed in "Friday Night Lights" -- the book/movie about the 1988 Permian High School football team that won a championship.
During his tenure at Permian, Gaines enjoyed tremendous success... including a perfect 16-0 season and the 1989 5A state championship.
In 2005, "Friday Night Lights" won the ESPY for "Best Sports Movie" and "Movie of the Year." The film starred Billy Bob Thornton as Gaines.