Many of the towns in the movie, including the town of Middleton, are made up but based on actual towns. The town of Middleton is based on the western-Oklahoma town of Sayre. The towns of Okeene, Byng, and Lawton are real, while the towns of Dellaplaine, Medfield, and Placerita are made-up.
Jim Keith retired in 1986 after 35 years as a coach and social studies teacher, but still coaches part time.
The character of Clay Driscoll is based on the legendary girls' coach from Oklahoma, Jim Keith.
Based on the book ''Brief Garland'', by author Harold Keith who wrote it about his nephew and real-life coach Jim Keith.