Coach (Ernie “Coach” Tagliaboo, played by Damon Wayans Jr.) doesn’t die or have any big tragic exit in New Girl – he just keeps moving in and out of the loft as his life changes.

Quick Scoop: What Happened To Coach In New Girl?

  • In the pilot , Jess moves into the loft with Nick, Schmidt, and Coach.
  • By episode 2 , Coach is suddenly gone and Winston has moved in; in-universe, the explanation is that Coach moved in with his girlfriend Malia.
  • In season 3 , after his relationship ends, Coach comes back to the loft as a regular roommate again.
  • At the end of season 4 , he moves to New York with his new girlfriend May, which is his main written‑out exit from the series.
  • After that, he still pops up for occasional guest appearances in later seasons, but he isn’t a full‑time character and does not return for the final episode.

So, story‑wise, what “happened” to Coach is that he left the loft twice for relationships and a big move to New York, but he stays alive, happy, and still on good terms with the gang; he just ends up living his own life offscreen.

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