Gary Gaines

Gary Gaines (May 4, 1949 – August 22, 2022) was an American football coach. Gaines was the head coach of the 1988 Permian High School football team, which was the focus of Buzz Bissinger's book Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream and the 2004 motion picture Friday Night Lights starring Billy Bob Thornton. His coaching career spanned four decades, coaching at eight high schools and two colleges, all in Texas. Early life Gaines was born in Crane, Texas. He played quarterback at Angelo State University from 1967 through 1970, earning letters during all four years. Coaching career Gaines spent 30 seasons coaching high school in West Texas at different high schools. His career started at Fort Stockton High School in 1971, followed by five years at Monahans High School. His first head coaching job came in 1977 Petersburg High School. He would go on to be a head coach at Denver City High School (1978), Amarillo Tascosa High School (1982), Monahans (1983–1985), Abilene High School (1994–1995) and San Angelo Central High School (1996–1999). Odessa Permian Gaines gained his most notoriety from his time at Permian High School in Odessa, Texas. He spent three years as an assistant coach under Head Coach John Wilkins from 1979 through the 1981 season. With Gaines on staff, Permian won the Texas 5A state championship in 1980.