Gene Hackman was a veteran actor in his 50s when 'Hoosiers' was released in 1986. Former Hickory Huskers and 'Hoosiers' producer remember Hackman

There's one reason Hackman's dazzling acting career stands out for sports fans: His unforgettable role as Norman Dale, coach of the feel-good, state champion Hickory Huskers from a tiny Indiana town.

Declared as one of the greatest sports movies in film history, the 1986 flick Hoosiers starred the late Gene Hackman as high school basketball Coach Norman Dale. The famed film follows the story of the Huskers and how they went from small-town Hickory,

Hackman's portrayal of coach Dale's transformation — and redemption — throughout "Hoosiers" was the heartbeat of the box-office classic.

It’s a career for the ages, a talent for the ages. For The Post’s Mike Vaccaro, Gene Hackman is forever Norman Dale.

Gene Hackman's dazzling acting career stands out for sports fans for a single reason: his unforgettable role in "Hoosiers" as coach Norman Dale.

Hackman’s fellow actors from the 1986 film remembered him as an actor who offered wise advice but hated rehearsing and multiple takes.