Freddie James, the legendary Texas high school football coach featured in the cult classic film "Friday Night Lights," has died, according to TMZ. He was 89.
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His family announced that James passed away on Thursday morning.
James served as head coach of Texas' Carter High School from 1982 to 1995 and earned more than 100 wins.
He pioneered the Cowboys to a Texas 5A State Championship win in 1988. The school defeated the Converse Judson Rockets 31-14 at Texas Stadium.
However, the title was later revoked due to a "no—pass, no-play" rule involving a player.
James was a part of the inaugural Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame class in 1996. The famed coach was also inducted into the Dallas ISD Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018.
During his tenure at Dallas W. Carter High School, James won Dallas ISD Coach of the Year, cementing him as one the most influential and legendary coaches in high school sports history.
"He let me know that it's not about the wins and losses; it's about the legacy of people you impact along the way," current Carter High School head coach Spencer Gilbert told NBC 5 in Dallas.
Texas Mourns Two Coaching Trail Blazers
James is not the only legendary football coach with Texas roots to pass away this month.
Dennis Franchione, who famously coached LaDanian Tomlinson at TCU, died at 75 on Oct. 6 after a decade-long battle with cancer.
Fracnhione compiled a 213-135-2 record in over 30 seasons as a head coach. He led nine different teams to Bowl Game appearances.
He was one of nine FBS coaches who were announced in June as nominees for the 2027 College Football Hall of Fame class.
TCU won consecutive Western Athletic Conference co-championships with Franchione at the helm. Tomlinson led the nation in rushing in both campaigns.
In 2000, the Horned Frogs went 10-2 in Franchione's final season at TCU and finished No. 21 on the AP Poll. It was the first time TCU finished the season in the final rankings since 1959.
"College football is in a better place for having Dennis Franchione's influence on it. [This] is a great loss to all who knew him," TCU coach Sonny Dykes said in a statement.
