Netflix's Home Team is a classic, feel-good underdog story, but it's the movie's cast of characters that really makes the movie shine. Compromised of a mix of comedy household names and up-and-comers, the cast of Home Team takes the typical football story and makes it something truly unique. Here is a complete guide to the cast and characters of Home Team.
Netflix's newest sports film, Home Team, is based on the real-life story of Sean Payton, the former coach of the New Orleans Saints, as he moves back home to coach his son's football team following a one-year suspension from the NFL. The Warriors are the laughing stock of their league, and being the son of an NFL legend doesn't make things any easier on young Connor Payton. After bringing the Saints to their very first Super Bowl win, it's up to Sean Payton to whip the Warriors into shape — all while getting to know his son in the meantime.
Home Team is another film to come from Adam Sandler's Happy Madison Productions and Kevin James' Hey Eddie Productions. Both comedic stars served as producers on the movie in yet another ensemble collaboration between the pair's close friends. For over a decade, Sandler and James have collaborated to produce movies like I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, Grown Ups, and Hubie Halloween. Home Team is their latest collaboration, including the following actors:
Kevin James As Sean Payton
Coach Sean Payton was on top of the world after bringing the New Orleans Saints to their very first Super Bowl win — but it all came crashing down when the coach got swept up in allegations that the Saints staff were paying inappropriate bonuses to players for injuring opponent players. Looking at a year suspension, Sean went home to Texas in an effort to bond with his son, Connor, whose life he had missed while coaching the Saints. His need to win has blinded him from the things that matter in life; but, with the help of the Warriors, he is reminded that what matters in football is the love of the game.
Sean Payton is brought to life by Kevin James, a staple name in the world of comedy. James began his career performing stand-up in Long Island, New York, but quickly rose through the ranks to be one of the top stand-up comedians on Comedy Central. After a few small appearances on various television shows, his real debut in acting came with his own CBS sitcom, The King of Queens, and he is known for his work in movies like I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, and Grown Ups.
Taylor Lautner As Coach Troy Lambert
Troy Lambert is the head coach of the Argyle Warriors. While the team is far from the best in the league, Coach Troy clearly loves his team. He does his best to encourage the kids through their losses, but he sees the perfect opportunity to help them improve when Payton arrives. The boys' happiness is what matters the most to Coach Troy. While that might cause him to bump heads with Payton frequently, he learns that there is true potential in his little band of misfits. Coach Troy is based on the real-life Liberty Christian Warrior's coach and former Liberty Youth Football Association President, Brenan Hardy.
After starting off doing voice work for series like What's New, Scooby-Doo?, Taylor Lautner's career took off with his portrayal of Sharkboy in The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl. Lautner has also previously worked with his co-star Kevin James in Grown Ups 2 playing his rival, Frat Boy Andy. His true claim to fame, however, comes from playing Jacob Black in the Twilight movie franchise.
Tait Blum As Connor Payton
As the son of the famous Coach Payton, young Connor has a tough time in the Texas football circuit — especially when his team is considered the bottom of the barrel. Though he is hesitant at first when his father returns after years of coaching, inside, he is eager to get to know his father better. Connor is incredibly loyal to his friends and his team, and he is willing to stand up to anyone for them — even his own father. Sean Payton may have joined the team to teach his son a thing about football, but Connor might have even more to teach his father.
Tait Blum is one of the newest names on the cast of Home Team. His career kicked off in 2018 with appearances on multiple TV series like Shooter and the Apple+ series For All Mankind. Blum made his movie debut with the 2020 movie Wish Upon A Unicorn.
Jackie Sandler As Beth
Beth is everything a supportive mother and partner could be: she attends all of Connor's games, she frequently hosts barbeque events for the entire team, and she wears an embarrassing couple's Snuggie to make Jamie happy. Because Sean has been gone for the majority of Connor's life, Beth raised Connor primarily on her own. Despite her divorce from Sean, Beth is dedicated to helping Connor and Sean bond upon his return from New Orleans. Beth is based on Sean Payton's real ex-wife, Beth Shuey.
Jackie Sandler is best known for appearing in movies created and produced by her husband, Adam Sandler. Jackie has taken on various roles in popular Adam Sandler movies such as Big Daddy and Grown Ups. Sandler has worked with co-star Kevin James numerous times, starring alongside him from The King of Queens to Hubie Halloween.
Rob Schneider As Jamie
Jamie, Beth's partner and Connor's stepdad, is almost the polar opposite of Sean Payton. He is a gentle, metaphysical man who cares far more about Connor than he does football. Though he may refer to football as a "trauma pain fest," Jamie shows his support at every game, ready to offer Connor honest advice and a healthy snack.
Rob Schneider is yet another comedy staple in Adam Sandler and Kevin James' comedies. Schneider has starred alongside Kevin James many times and appeared in even more Adam Sandler movies. Whether he's portraying a delivery man who learns to read in Big Daddy or a hippie who hooks up with a much older woman in Grown Ups, Rob Schneider is guaranteed to bring some laughs to any movie he's in.
Gary Valentine As Coach Mitch Bizone
Coach Mitch Bizone is the well-meaning but frequently unhelpful assistant coach for the Warriors. Known for drinking a little too much "coach juice," Coach Bizone can usually be found riding a less-than-optimal bicycle or going a bit off the wall. After Coach Sean Payton joins the team, Coach Bizone was sure to remind the team that he is still the second-in-command - the "vice president" to Coach Troy's president. Though the kids may poke fun at Coach Bizone, he is yet another member of the misfit Warrior family.
Coach Bizone is perfectly portrayed by Gary Valentine. As Kevin Smith's older brother, the pair make a hilarious juxtaposition in Home Team. Valentine has previously starred alongside his brother in projects like The King of Queens and Paul Blart, though he stepped away from his usual comedic circuit when he took on the role of Deputy Knudsen in Fargo season 1.
Home Team Supporting Cast & Characters
Maxwell Simkins as Paulie - Paulie, one of the members of the Warriors, who is far more focused on food than football.
Jacob Perez as Marcos - Marcos is one of the best players on the Warriors, and he knows it. The young player has the confidence to equal his skill on the field.
Bryant Tardy as Dennis - Dennis may be afraid of contact on the field, but he plays defense for Sean Payton when he needs it the most — against his own overly eager mother.
Manny Magnus as Harlan - Harlan is the smallest player on the field, but he has the biggest heart. As the Warrior's kicker, he could become unstoppable; if only he could stop hitting Paulie with the ball.
Merek Mastrov as Brian - Brian may be easily confused by the playbook, but this Warriors quarterback plays the game with all his heart.
Lavell Crawford as Gus - Gus, the Warrior's loyal bus driver, may be a little odd and his football stories may not be true; but he fits in perfectly with the Warrior family. Lavell Crawford is known for portraying Huell in Breaking Bad.
Jared Sandler as Eric - Eric is a less-than-competent hotel clerk.
Sean Payton as Lionel the Janitor - Making a cameo in Home Town is the real Sean Payton, who appears at the end of the film as Lionel, a janitor in the Saints' office.