<Tr> <Th> Family </Th> <Td> Denise Beiste (sister) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Spouse (s) </Th> <Td> Cooter Menkins (divorced) </Td> </Tr> <P> Coach Shannon Beiste (later Sheldon 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 . </P> <P> 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". </P>

Who plays the female football coach on glee