Freddie James, the Texas high school football coach whose career inspired a character in the acclaimed book and television series "Friday Night Lights," has died, according to a report by USA TODAY on Thursday.
James coached at Permian High School in Odessa, the program at the center of H.G. Bissinger's 1990 book "Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream" and its subsequent film and TV adaptations. The series brought national attention to the cultural significance of high school football in West Texas.
Details regarding James' age, cause of death, and specific coaching tenure were not immediately available. His portrayal in the Friday Night Lights franchise cemented his place in the lore of Texas high school football, a tradition that has produced numerous college and professional players.
