At the start of the movie, Coach Carter (Samuel L. Jackson) takes a part-time, low-paying job coaching the basketball team at his old high school. Of course, the boys are wild, cocky and unruly.
Plus, they had a dismal 4 and 22 record!
Coach Carter sets strict rules for the team: - 2.3 GPA minimum (higher than the required 2.0 GPA)
- No skipping of classes
- Must sit in the front row in class
- Must wear jackets and ties on game days.
Natural reaction? Three players walk out of practice.
But the team also starts winning games.
One of the main players, Cruz, who had walked out in the first session, fights like crazy to get back onto the team. And after impressing the Coach, he's allowed back on. (Unbeknownst to anyone, he's dealing drugs on the side).
It soon becomes apparent that all that has changed is the boys' ability to win. They taunt opponents, skip class, and get bad grades.
So Carter goes crazy himself. - He locks them out of the gym (in the midst of an undefeated season!)
- He forfeits some games
- He makes the players get tutoring, instead of basketball practice
This leads to Cruz quitting (again). he goes back to dealing drugs full-time. But the untimely death of Cruz' drug-dealing cousin shakes some sense into him. He focuses on basketball full-time, leaving the life of crime behind.
Meanwhile, the players' parents want the basketball to continue, and get the school board to approve it! But the boys prove that they've learned something, by going to basketball practice, AND GETTING TUTORED ON THE BASKETBALL COURT!
The team makes it into the state playoffs. The big game takes place against a tough team that features a superstar NBA prospect. Coach Carter's team plays valiantly, but loses at the last second, by a basket. The team takes the loss very hard. But Coach Carter gives an inspirational speech that puts it all in perspective.
A good number of the players ended up going to college - a rarity for kids from their school.
This is a true story. Making it all the more inspirational.
People like Coach Carter ignore the statistics. They ignore conventional wisdom.
People like Coach Carter set their sights on a goal, latch on, and don't let go.
And I tell you, eventually, eventually, despite ups and downs, despite twists and turns...
People like Coach Carter, win.
And they don't just win for themselves. But their bravery, their tenacity, their determination, transforms those around them into winners, too.
We all have a Coach Carter within us.
Meet the real Coach Carter.
| 
