Coach Carter quotes from Coach Carter (2005)

You really need to consider the message you're sending these boys by ending the lockout. It's the same message that we as a culture send to our professional athletes; and that is that they are above the law. If these boys cannot honor the simple rules of a basketball contract, how long do you think it will be before they're out there breaking the law? I played ball here at Richmond High 30 years ago. It was the same thing then; some of my teammates went to prison, some of them even ended up dead. If you vote to end the lockout, you won't have to terminate me; I'll quit.

I came to coach basketball players, and you became students. l came to teach boys, and you became men.

In this state you're 80% more likely to go to prison than college.

As of now, you are a sir. So are the rest of you. "Sir" is a term of respect -- and you will have my respect until you abuse it.

Timo Cruz

Teachers ain't supposed to touch students.

I'm not your teacher. I'm your new basketball coach.

You, shooting the ball, what's your name sir?

Jason Lyle

Jason Lyle, but I ain't no sir.

Oh, well are you a madam?
[team laughs]

Well...not exactly your storybook ending huh...but you played like champions...you never gave up...and champions..they hold their heads high. What you achevieved goes way beyond what'll be on the front page of tomorrows paper...what you acheived some people search their whole lives to find...and gentlemen...I am so proud of you. 4 months ago I came to Richmond with a plan..and that plan failed...I came to teach basketball players and you became students...I came to teach boys, and you became men. And for that I thank you. If some walked up to me and told me I could coach any school in the state...you know who I'd choose?

Worm

St. Francis?

Kenyon

Richmond?

Rich-what?

Richmond.

Where we from?

Richmond!!!

What we love?!

RICHMOND!!!

Jason Lyle

Sir, they can cut the chains off the door, but they can't make us play.

We've decided we're going to finish what you've started, sir.

Worm

Yeah, so leave us be, coach. We've got shit to do, sir.

What's your deepest fear?

Worm

Why he keep saying that? What's your deepest fear? What's that mean?

Your job Mr. Carter is to teach these boys basketball ' I suggest you start doing your job

Your job is to educate these students , I suggest you start doing yours.

Kenyon Stone

Yo, how many we gonna do?

Sir.

Kenyon Stone

Yo, sir, how many we gonna do?

Let's see how many you can do in... one hour and seven minutes.

I end up taking a road trip to the suburbs where I find my drunk ass point guard on top of Daddy's little princess.

Worm

Actually, I was on the bottom, coach, she was on the top.

Timo Cruz

What are you doing? Get off me! Teachers ain't supposed to touch students.

I'm not a teacher. I'm the new basketball coach.

Timo Cruz

This ain’t over!

Well... not quite your storybook ending huh. Not for us anyway. But you men played like champions, and never gave up. And champions hold their heads high. What you achieved goes way beyond the win-loss column or what’s gonna be written on the front page of the sports section tomorrow. You’ve achieved something that some people spend their whole lives trying to find. What you achieved is that ever elusive victory within, and gentlemen... I am so proud of you. 4 months ago, when I took the job at Richmond I had a plan.. that plan failed. I came to coach basketball players, and you became students. I came to teach boys, and you became men. And for that I thank you. If someone walked in this door right now and offered me the coaching job at any school in the state of California, you know which school I’d choose?

Worm

St. Francis? [everyone snickers] I'm just sayin'...

Kenyon

Richmond?

Rich-what?

Richmond.

Rich-what?

Richmond!

Where we from?

Richmond!

What's my home town?

Richmond!

What do we love?!

RICHMOND!

Rich-whaaat?!

RICHMOND!

What is wrong with you? What's wrong with all of you? Since when is winning not enough, playing hard not enough? No, you have to humiliate your opponents. Taunt 'em after every score. You won four games last season. Four! What gives you the right to taint the game that I love with trash talk and taunting? What gives you the right to wear Richmond on your chest and act like punks?

Kenyon

Coach, they were jawin', too.

So? You can't show some class? Act like a champion? You owe me 500 push-ups a piece. On the line, now!