Gary Gaines, coach of ‘Friday Night Lights’ fame, dead at 73

Gaines, who was played by Billy Bob Thornton in the 2004 movie, said he never read the book.

Gary Gaines, coach of the Texas high school football team made famous in the book and movie “Friday Night Lights,” has died. He was 73. 

Gary Gaines, coach of the Texas high school football team made famous in the book and movie “Friday Night Lights,” has died. He was 73.

Gaines’ family said in a statement the former coach died Monday in Lubbock after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.