Gary Gaines, Coach of ‘Friday Night Lights’ Fame, Dead at 73

Odessa Permian head coach Gary Gaines walks off the practice field after a high school football workout in Odessa, Texas, on May 21, 2009. Kevin Buehler/AP Photo

LUBBOCK, Texas—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.