''Coach of the Year'' is a 1980 American TV film about a paraplegic coach, starring

Robert Conrad Robert Conrad (born Conrad Robert Falk; March 1, 1935 – February 8, 2020) was an American film and television actor, singer, and stuntman. He is best known for his role in the 1965–1969 television series ''The Wild Wild West'', playin ...

Erin Gray Erin Gray (born January 7, 1950) is an American model, casting agent, and actress whose roles include Colonel Wilma Deering in the science fiction television series '' Buck Rogers in the 25th Century'' and Kate Summers-Stratton in the situation ...

Red West Robert Gene "Red" West (March 8, 1936 – July 18, 2017) was an American actor, film stuntman and songwriter. He was known for being a close confidant and bodyguard for rock and roll singer Elvis Presley. Upon his firing, West wrote the contro ...

and

Daphne Reid Daphne Etta Maxwell Reid ( née Maxwell; July 13, 1948) is an American actress, comedian, designer and former model. She is best known for her role as the second Vivian Banks on the NBC sitcom ''The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'' from 1993 to 1996 ...

. The film was very popular.

Plot

Jim Brandon (Robert Conrad), a former player for the

Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago. The Bears compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) North division. The Bears have won nine NF ...

, is a returning veteran who has been paralyzed in the

Vietnam War The Vietnam War (also known by #Names, other names) was a conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between North Vie ...

. 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

as Jim Brandon *

as Paula DeFalco *

as Superintendent Turner *

as Merissa Lane * David Raynr as Munroe Sweetlife Johnson *

Ricky Paull Goldin Richard Paull Goldin (born January 5, 1965) is an American actor, producer, director and television personality. He is known for his roles in daytime drama as Jake Martin in ABC's '' All My Children''. In May 2013, Goldin joined the cast of ...

as Andy DeFalco *

Alex Paez Alex Paez (born July 25, 1963) is an American actor, musician and restaurateur. Career Paez began his career in 1971 appearing in various TV commercials. In 1979, he received a Best Actor Emmy Award for his performances in ''Unicorn Tales'', ...

as Hector Estrada *

Richard Marx Richard Noel Marx (born September 16, 1963) is an American adult contemporary music, adult contemporary and pop rock singer-songwriter. He has sold over 30 million albums worldwide. Marx's Richard Marx (album), self-titled debut album went tri ...

as himself (credited as Richard Marks)

Production

* The movie was filmed in

Batavia, Illinois Batavia () is a city mainly in Kane County and partly in DuPage County in the U.S. state of Illinois. Located in the Chicago metropolitan area, it was founded in 1833 and is the oldest city in Kane County. Per the 2020 census, the population w ...

, 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.

References

External links

* 1980 films 1980 television films 1980 drama films Films about paraplegics or quadriplegics Films directed by Don Medford Films about sportspeople American football films Films set in Illinois American drama television films 1980s American films Films about disability {{US-tv-drama-film-stub

Plot

Cast

Production

See also

References

External links