 Casting of the show included using some of the actors who had already appeared in the movie , including Brad Leland as Buddy Garrity , a character similar to the one he had played in the movie , and Connie Britton as Tami Taylor , wife of coach Eric Taylor . Britton had felt that the female story lines were underplayed in the movie , but was promised by Berg that these topics would be given more attention in the television series . Kyle Chandler , playing the role of head coach Eric Taylor , said he had played some high school football , " but I was no good " . He recalled showing up to an early meeting with Berg after a friend 's party where he " had too much to drink , smoked too many cigarettes " and was generally quite tired . Berg liked that look , since he wanted the coach to appear old and weary . " You need to drink a lot of scotch and smoke a lot of cigarettes , " he advised . 
