| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 4, 1949 Crane, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | August 22, 2022 (aged 73) Lubbock, Texas, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1968–1970 | Angelo State |
| Position(s) | Quarterback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1977–1978 | Petersburg HS (TX) |
| 1978–1979 | Denver City HS (TX) |
| 1982 | Tascosa HS (TX) |
| 1983–1985 | Monahans HS (TX) |
| 1986–1989 | Odessa Permian HS (TX) |
| 1990–1993 | Texas Tech (LB) |
| 1994–1995 | Abilene HS (TX) |
| 1996–1999 | San Angelo Central HS (TX) |
| 2000–2004 | Abilene Christian |
| 2009–2012 | Odessa Permian HS (TX) |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall |
|
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| |
| Awards | |
| Texas High School Hall of Fame | |
Gary Gaines (May 4, 1949 – August 22, 2022) was an American football coach. Gaines was the head coach of the 1988 Permian High School football team, which was the focus of Buzz Bissinger's book Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream and the 2004 motion picture Friday Night Lights starring Billy Bob Thornton. His coaching career spanned four decades, coaching at eight high schools and two colleges, all in Texas.