Jim White moves his family after losing his last job as a football coach. He sees that some of the students are worth starting a cross-country team and turns seven students with no hope into one of the best cross-country teams.

Jim White: David, I'd like you to ask your father something for me.
David Diaz: Yeah
Jim White: You know what, just tell him... just tell him it was an honor to be invited into his home.
David Diaz: Dad, he said it was an honor to be invited into your home.
SeƱor Diaz: Tell him I say thanks.
Jim White: So, do you guys get paid by the hour?
David Diaz: No, the field.
Thomas Valles: You play golf?
Thomas Valles, Lupe: Yeah.
Thomas Valles: Well this isn't golf.
Jim White, Security Guard: That will be $9.50 for parking.
Jim White: Listen, I've got 5 bucks and 7 boys who have never seen the ocean before.
Principal Camillo: Have you ever coached cross country?
Jim White: No.
Principal Camillo: Have you ever coached track?
Jim White: No.
Principal Camillo: You have competed in high school maybe.
Jim White: No.
Principal Camillo: Well you sound perfect.
Maria Marisol: [reading Jose Cardenas's paper] We fly like blackbirds through the orange groves, floating on a warm wind. When we run, we own the earth. The land is ours. We speak the birds' language. Not immigrant no more. No stupid Mexicans. When we run, our spirits fly. We speak to the gods. When we run, we are the gods.
Cheryl White: Fourth place at your first meet? That's not too shabby.
Jim White: Fourth out of four; also known as last place.