Gary Gaines, coach at heart of Friday Night Lights, dies aged 73

• Gaines was central figure in Buzz Bissinger's bestselling book
• Billy Bob Thornton played Gaines in 2004 movie adaptation

Gary Gaines, coach of the Texas high school football team made famous in the book and movie Friday Night Lights, has died. He was 73.

Gaines' family said in a statement the former coach died on Monday in Lubbock after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.