Does anyone have a good reason why Jimmy disrupted the town hall meeting and said he'd play, but on on the condition that they kept Coach Dale? It seemed to come out of nowhere, and there didn't be a stated reason that he made that choice. I can think of a few possible reasons that aren't explicitly stated in the text, but it doesn't seem like that's shown on screen.
shareI agree that no explicit reason is given. I think we're just supposed to assume that, after observing Norman's actions for a few weeks, Jimmy decides that Norman deserves his vote of confidence.
A scene in the original script that didn't make it into the movie might offer a clue. Early in the basketball season, Norman helps Jimmy and his brother, JP, after the two boys are involved in a car accident one evening. Because Norman chooses to drive the injured JP to the hospital, he ends up missing the Huskers' game that night. His unexpected absence will undoubtedly further diminish his popularity with the unforgiving townspeople. But this action shows Jimmy that Norman is willing to put someone else's needs ahead of his own.
yeah, reading about the production of the movie it seems like the director was dissatisfied with edits that were forced on him by the studio that took important context and character development out of the movie. I believe he even refused to take a director credit on the further cut down TV Version.
It's a shame because it seems like the one major flaw in an otherwise excellently crafted movie.