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Gary Gaines College coach

Gary Gaines (born May 4, 1949) is a high school football coach. Gaines was the head coach of the 1988 Permian High School football team which was the focus of the H. G. Bissinger book Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team and a Dream and the 2004 motion picture Friday Night Lights starring Billy Bob Thornton. Gaines would go on to work as an assistant at Texas Tech University recruiting and coaching linebackers such as former NFL player Zach Thomas.Gaines was the 17th head college football coach for the Abilene Christian University Wildcats located in Abilene, Texas and he held that position for five seasons, from 2000 until 2004. Gaines' coaching record at Abilene Christian was 21 wins and 30 losses. As of the conclusion of the 2007 season, this ranks him tenth at Abilene Christian in total wins and 16th at Abilene Christian in winning percentage (.412). The Wildcats won the Lone Star Conference South Division championship in 2002.In 2005 Gaines moved on to serve as the athletic director for Ector County Independent School District, the same district of which Permian High School is a part. In 2007 took the position of athletic director for the Lubbock Independent School District.On March 9, 2009, Permian announced that Gaines would return as head coach of Permian after Darren Allman left for Austin Westlake. The Panthers were 8–4 in the 2009 season under Gaines.Gaines is also a public speaker. Speaking to high schools and colleges across the country, Gary gives insight on teamwork, leadership, winning and success on and off the field.On December 18, 2012, Gaines announced his retirement from coaching football.