Beiste

Coach Beiste is a fictional character from the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. The character is portrayed by actress Dot-Marie Jones, and has appeared in Glee since its second season premiere "Audition", first broadcast on September 21, 2010. Coach Beiste is introduced as female championship-winning football coach Shannon Beiste, brought in to make the McKinley High football team successful. Coach Beiste immediately comes into conflict with cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) and glee club director Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison), though Beiste and Will eventually become good friends. In Beiste's first year, the coach successfully steers the team to its first championship. When the character returns in the third season, in addition to coaching football, Beiste co-directs the school musical and runs the elections for senior class president. Beiste's first boyfriend is Ohio State football recruiter Cooter Menkins (Eric Bruskotter), though Beiste initially faces competition from Sue for him. Beiste and Cooter eventually marry, and the coach later finds support from Sue after becoming the victim of domestic abuse, ultimately leaving and then divorcing Cooter. In the sixth season, Beiste comes out as transgender (being diagnosed with gender dysphoria) and undergoes gender confirmation surgery, taking on the new name Sheldon Beiste.

Initially a recurring role starting in the second season, Jones as Beiste was promoted to the main cast in the sixth and final season. Jones received Emmy nominations in 2011, 2012 and 2013 for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her work as Beiste in Glee's second, third and fourth seasons respectively. Beiste's season two storyline in the episode Jones submitted for final judging—"Never Been Kissed"—was criticized by many reviewers, though they lauded her acting. Beiste in the third season has been described as "believable and heartfelt", and Jones as "brilliant".