Guide Note

Coach Carter chronicles the true life story of Ken Carter, an inner-city basketball coach who refused to let his undefeated team compete unless they could improve their academic performance.

Fast Facts

1. Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Ri'Chard and Ashanti
2. Directed By: Thomas Carter
3. Released: January 14, 2005
4. Running Time: 136 Minutes
5. MPAA Rating: PG-13

Coach Carter earned a 63% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 57 on Metacritic. Reviews were mixed, with the more positive writers believing that the film excels in a genre that typically has more bland entrants. Film critic Roger Ebert gave the film three stars, largely based on the strength of Samuel L. Jackson's performance.

Thomas Carter won a Black Movie Award and a Black Reel Award for directing and Jackson won Outstanding Actor at the 2006 Image Awards.

Though the film is based on a true story, there are several historical inaccuracies. For example, a student wears a Sacramento Kings jersey that did not exist in 1999, when Coach Carter takes place. A reporter calls Ty Crane "the next LeBron James," though James was in high school in 1999 and several years from joining the NBA.