Coach

The writers of Coach really had a no-win situation. The best part about the show was that he was taking a team of nobodies and trying to turn a football program around at a fictitious school that supposedly had a once great football program. Minnesota State was the underdog. They started out taking things slow. They didn't rush into making them champions. In th first season they were happy to just get a few wins. Then they made it to their first Bowl game (where they got killed in a blizzard). Then Hayden beat his mentor and won his first Bowl game. This culminated in the team winning the national championship.

That is where the trouble began and the producers knew it. Where do they go from there? Sure, the team trying to defend their championship was enough to sustain one season. But that was it. The main reason for the shows existence was gone.

So what did the writers do in a last ditch effort? They give Hayden another bunch of underdogs, an expansion NFL team. It just didn't work. Coach (the show) was about Minnesota State. Not Florida. The shows really lost a lot of quality after that move. It was a classic example of a show that should have gone out on top a season or two earlier.

A definite classic. Craig T. Nelson and Jerry Van Dyke were the funniest on the series. Today's writers should take a lesson from this and other classic sitcoms. The series finale was the best episode. It's a shame the show has come to an end but at least there are reruns.

This is the only series of its kind. I believe that they targetted the older crowd. I may be 17 but I wouldn't miss it.

This isn't my favorite show of all time but it's one of those I never forgot. The reason this show works is cause of the ensemble cast. Especially Craig T. nelson and Jerry Van Dyke.

What makes this work is Craig T. Nelson. He's almost the "Archie Bunker" of the 90's...without the racial part. He's a Neanderthal type who thinks guys are the Kings and football guys rule all and women are all wrong. The fun part is, you get to see all his flaws. He's insecure and self conscious about his relationship with his girlfriend...basically he's like all guys. That's why this show works, cause he's like every guy.

With every show there's a "Barney Fife" type character and in this show it's no different. Here you find, Jerry van Dyke. You can thank casting for putting him in this role cause it was a role of a lifetime. He plays the absolute bumbling old assistant football coach who is clueless about almost everything and is nuts about Elvis. Again, a lot of guys are like this so it's easy to see why this show last for 8 years. For reference on his character, watch the "Sweeties Cereal" episode.

This show tries to show you the life of a football coach but it's really about a simple guy who happens to be a football coach who's a little outdated in his way of thinking. Trust me, watch this show and laugh. I always do.

Of all of the shows (Comedies) I have seen, Coach is the the most under-rated and one of the best I have seen. You have one hell of a comedic (and dramatic) actor Craig T. Nelson and when you put together him with a cast that includes Jerry Van Dyke you have success. It's a shame I got into this show after its initial run, but thank God for repeats or I would have missed the greatness this show has to offer. A+ ALL THE WAY