A ‘Coach’ Reboot Is in the Works: Will Anyone From the Original Cast Return?
It has been nearly 30 years since fans could tune in for a new episode of Coach, but that could soon change. A reboot of the beloved sitcom is in development, and Modern Family star Ty Burrell is attached to the project. Here’s what we know so far.
A ‘Coach’ reboot is in development
A Coach reboot is in the works, but it’s not the show fans might remember. Instead, it’ll be a fresh take on the classic. According to Deadline, the project is in development at NBC, with Burrell attached as executive producer and set to star. The reboot will be a single-camera comedy rather than a multi-camera sitcom like the original.
There are key differences in the storyline, too. The original followed Hayden Fox, a college football coach, while the new series will center on a basketball coach. In the reimagined version, Burrell would play a legendary coach who returns home to Minnesota to rebuild his alma mater’s basketball program and reconnect with his community.
Will any of the original cast appear?
Burrell is set to lead the series, but fans of the original are hoping to see some familiar faces return, despite the new premise. Right now, it’s unclear whether anyone from the original cast will appear. Craig T. Nelson, who played Hayden during the show’s original run, is now in his 80s. He’s continued to act, but it’s unclear whether he’d be interested in a full-time role. Fans would likely enjoy a guest spot, though. Still, nothing has been announced.
Bill Fagerbakke, who played Michael “Dauber” Dybinski in the original series, isn’t attached to the project at this time either. Fagerbakke has stayed busy for decades voicing the lovable Patrick Star on SpongeBob SquarePants. He has shown interest in returning before, though: he signed on to reprise Dauber for an earlier revival attempt.
The original cast has lost several of its stars, too. Shelley Fabares, who played Hayden’s girlfriend and later wife, Christine Armstrong, died in August at 82. Jerry Van Dyke, who played assistant coach Luther Van Dam, died in 2018.
A ‘Coach’ reboot was in the works once before
News of a Coach reboot is exciting, but it’s not the first time NBC has tried to bring back the beloved sitcom. In 2015, the network gave a 13-episode order to a sequel set 18 years after the original finale. Nelson would have returned as a retired Hayden Fox, lured back to work as an assistant to his son, Tim, played by Andrew Ridings, at an Ivy League school in Pennsylvania. Fagerbakke was set to return as Dauber, too. A pilot was filmed, but NBC scrapped the project before it ever aired, reportedly over creative issues.
Clearly, NBC is interested in giving the concept another shot, this time with a reimagined premise. For now, the reboot is still in early development. Until NBC orders it to series and starts casting, fans will have to wait to find out whether any familiar faces suit up again.
