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Analyzing Coach Yoast Decision from “Remember the Titans (2000)”

A. Context “Remember the Titans” is a film set in Alexandria, VA in 1971 about the desegregated T.C. Williams High School. At the time the school is integrated, neither the Caucasians nor the African-Americans are happy about it. African American head coach Herman Boone is hired to lead the school’s football team as he takes the coaching position from current head coach Bill Yoast, who has been nominated for the Virginia High School Hall of Fame. B. Decision Situation In the movie, Yoast faces two situations in which he has to make significant decisions: a) In a show of respect and in an attempt to ease racial tension, Boone offers an assistant coaching position to Yoast. Yoast initially refuses Boone’s offer, but is then tempted to join after the white players pledge to boycott the team if he doesn’t participate. Dismayed at the prospect of the students losing their chances at scholarships, Yoast changes his mind and takes up the position of defensive coordinator. b) Later in the movie, the football administration informs coach Yoast that he is to lose the rest of his games and next year they will send Boone away and put him back in his head position. If he does not agree, he would lose his place in the Virginia High School Hall of Fame. Yoast refuses the offer and threatens that he will tell the press if they keep up with this behavior. We will specifically put more attention to his decision foregoing his Hall of Fame spot for the success of the whole team. The reason the first decision situation is included here is to show Yoast’s characteristics, which is crucial in understanding his decision in the second situation. His sacrificing the prestigious spot he has worked so hard for is truly evident during that one game designed to end the Titans’ undefeated season; it is filled with so many bad calls that even Ray Charles could recognize the fix is on. Calls are made up and wrongly interpreted....