Bill Yoast met and became acquainted with Will in California, during the filming of "Gone In 60 Seconds" in July 1999.

Bill & Will in California

Coach Yoast meets the actors who played the Titan football players for the first time... his first visit to the set. (Will is on the right.)

Filming of "Remember The Titans" began in October 1999.Will saw to it that Bill was able to take his daughters to watch the filming of the movie.

"The Big 4"

Coach Yoast, Will Patton, Coach Boone, & Denzel Washington

The 1st day on the set of "Remember The Titans"

Coach Bill Yoast

On the set

This picture was taken in Pasadena on September 23, 2000 during the first of two premieres, attended by the real players and the actors from the movie. Will & Bill were on the same cart as they circled the the track at the end of the movie with 55,000 spectators looking on.

Will and Bill

Coach Yoast, Will, & Coach Boone

Two nights later there was a second premiere in Washington DC which was attended by Coach Bill Yoast, Will Patton, Coach Herman Boone, &... President Clinton.

Bill feels that his and Will's personalities are very alike. He has commented, "I can't think of a more perfect person to play me. I think he knew my very thoughts as the film was being made."

Bill's Daughter, Sheryl

Sadly Bill's beautiful daughter Sheryl , portrayed in the movie by Hayden Panettiere, passed away in 1996, before the movie was made.

Sheryl at 8 years old

At the start and end of the movie, attending Gerry's funeral, Sheryl was portrayed at 18 years of age by Tess Pazner.

Will, Bill, & Tess

Here is a well loved picture from Sheryl's wedding. Bill and 3 of his daughters.

Dee Dee, Bill, Sheryl, Angie

Julius Campbell

Julius Campbell, portrayed in the movie by Wood Harris, is now working with an animal shelter, rescuing lost and homeless animals. This gentle man is a true asset to the community.

Gerry Bertier

Gerry Bertier was paralyzed in an automobile accident... then 10 years later, died in a head on crash. He was portrayed by Ryan Hurst in the movie and is remembered with honor.

Coach Yoast is now retired and living in Delaware.

Coach Yoast's Present Family

Bill has four daughters of whom he is very proud.

Please visit the Coach Bill Yoast Website to see more pictures and discover more complete information about Coach Yoast and his story, or ask him a question.

"Before we reach for hate... always... always... we...

Remember the Titans."

(Thanks to Coach Yoast for sharing these memories and to Will for giving his consent.)