NBC Pulls Plug on ‘Coach’ Revival

The comedy series sequel has been scrapped after receiving a 13-episode order for midseason

NBC has pulled the plug on its revival of “Coach.”

The network had given the series, a continuation of the ’90s ABC sitcom starring Craig T. Nelson, a 13-episode series order.

The new “Coach” was given the greenlight in March. The series was to follow Nelson’s character from the original series, Hayden Fox, as he emerged from retirement to join his son (Andrew Ridings from “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”) on the football coaching staff of an Ivy League team.

Original cast member Bill Fagerbakke was signed to revive his role as dim-witted assistant coach Dauber Dybinski. Original series creator Barry Kemp was producing for Universal Television.

A pilot for the series had been shot, but no additional episodes had been produced.

NBC entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt had defended the network’s decision to pick up the series at the Television Critics Association’s summer press tour in early August after one questioner referred to the show as a “practical joke.”

“One man’s practical joke is another man’s hit show,” Greenblatt said. He called “Coach” a family comedy with an established brand, then added, “If that works, then ‘ALF’ the series is next.”

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