With summer coming to an end, the defending state champions Dillon Panthers look to continue their success despite a lot of changes taking place. Eric Taylor begins his career as head coach at TMU and immediately discovers the hardship of being separated from his family, as Tami Taylor heads into labor with their second child.
It is the first day of school at Dillon High and with new beginnings comes a lot of changes. Tami's new life as a mother of a newborn and a teenager proves to be very tough, especially with the separation from Coach Taylor who continues his coaching job at TMU.
It is the first Friday night for the Dillon Panther football team and things do not go as expected. Brian "Smash" Williams and Matt Saracen continue to have problems on and off the field that get the best of them.
Tim Riggins and Jason Street head to Mexico as Street hopes to explore experimental surgery. Riggins, concerned about Street, turns to Lyla Garrity who is busy trying to help a newcomer to Dillon. Meanwhile, Coach Taylor makes a huge career move that will change his life. A big development in a police search instills more trepidation in the lives of Tyra Collette and Landry Clarke.
Coach Taylor returns to Dillon, Texas as a head coach, a father and a husband. After too much time away from Tami and his new baby, Taylor decides that Dillon High is the place for him to coach football.
Landry decides to come clean with his father, and forces his dad into a situation where he must choose between being a father or a cop. Tami's sister, Shelley, comes to help Tami out with the baby.
Brian "Smash" Williams' day has arrived. He will soon be facing a tough decision, as he finds out his college football options with the first official day for college recruiters to talk to the premier high school players.
Brian "Smash" Williams goes on his first recruiting trip that lives up to everything he hoped for until an unexpected incident takes place at the end that will change his mind about the school.
Landry confesses to the murder of Tyra's assaulter, but continues to struggle with his conscience. Elsewhere, Jason Street contemplates his new future, as Herc sets him up with an online dating service. Meanwhile, as the Taylor's prepare for baby Gracie's christening, tension continues to grow between Tami and Julie.
A tornado hits the Dillon county area damaging Laribee high school, a rival high school. Coach Taylor reluctantly welcomes Laribee, who will now share Dillon's weight room, football field and lockers.
Brian "Smash" Williams is facing a lot of pressure as many major colleges are looking for a verbal commitment to their program and he has his heart set on one.
Tami and Coach Taylor look into day care for Gracie, but find themselves having a tough time letting go. Meanwhile, Lyla Garrity starts working as a deejay on a Christian radio station and, despite being ridiculed by Tim Riggins, she is able to strike a chord with him.
Brian "Smash" Williams' confrontation at the movie theater turns from bad to worse as charges are pressed against him. Smash must now decide whether he must swallow his pride and apologize or stand up for what he believes is right. Elsewhere, Jason Street finds a new career. Tami is hired by Coach Taylor as the girl's volleyball coach and turns to Tyra for help. Meanwhile, Tim faces tough times as he tries to express what he is feeling to Lyla.
Matt Saracen reaches a tough point in his life where nothing seems to really matter to him anymore. Meanwhile, Tami Taylor's relationship continues to grow with Tyra and Julie becomes very jealous. Landry may have a new potential love interest that could shake up his relationship with Tyra. Elsewhere, Brian "Smash" Williams begins his three game suspension and turns to Coach Taylor for advice.
Brian "Smash" Williams is determined to get a football scholarship to college despite the recent events that have transpired. However, Brian is very shocked when the most unlikely place offers him what may be the opportunity of his life.