<P> Coach Shannon Beiste ( later Sheldon Beiste ) is a fictional character from the Fox musical comedy - drama series Glee . The character is portrayed by actress Dot - Marie Jones , and has appeared in Glee since its second season premiere `` Audition '' , first broadcast on September 21 , 2010 . Coach Beiste is introduced as female championship - winning football coach Shannon Beiste , brought in to make the McKinley High football team successful . Coach Beiste immediately comes into conflict with cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester ( Jane Lynch ) and glee club director Will Schuester ( Matthew Morrison ) , though Beiste and Will eventually become good friends . In Beiste 's first year , the coach successfully steers the team to its first championship . When the character returns in the third season , in addition to coaching football , Beiste co-directs the school musical and runs the elections for senior class president . Beiste 's first boyfriend is Ohio State football recruiter Cooter Menkins ( Eric Bruskotter ) , though Beiste initially faces competition from Sue for him . Beiste and Cooter eventually marry , and the coach later finds support from Sue after becoming the victim of domestic abuse , ultimately leaving and then divorcing Cooter . In the sixth season , Beiste comes out as transgender ( being diagnosed with gender dysphoria ) and undergoes gender confirmation surgery , taking on the new name Sheldon Beiste . </P>
<P> Coach Shannon Beiste ( later Sheldon Beiste ) is a fictional character from the Fox musical comedy - drama series Glee . The character is portrayed by actress Dot - Marie Jones , and has appeared in Glee since its second season premiere `` Audition '' , first broadcast on September 21 , 2010 . Coach Beiste is introduced as female championship - winning football coach Shannon Beiste , brought in to make the McKinley High football team successful . Coach Beiste immediately comes into conflict with cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester ( Jane Lynch ) and glee club director Will Schuester ( Matthew Morrison ) , though Beiste and Will eventually become good friends . In Beiste 's first year , the coach successfully steers the team to its first championship . When the character returns in the third season , in addition to coaching football , Beiste co-directs the school musical and runs the elections for senior class president . Beiste 's first boyfriend is Ohio State football recruiter Cooter Menkins ( Eric Bruskotter ) , though Beiste initially faces competition from Sue for him . Beiste and Cooter eventually marry , and the coach later finds support from Sue after becoming the victim of domestic abuse , ultimately leaving and then divorcing Cooter . In the sixth season , Beiste comes out as transgender ( being diagnosed with gender dysphoria ) and undergoes gender confirmation surgery , taking on the new name Sheldon Beiste . </P>
who plays the female football coach on glee
who plays the female football coach on glee
Dot - Marie Jones
Dot - Marie Jones