Once a famous football coach, Steve Williams (John Wayne) is now a bookie in a pool hall. To earn enough money to keep custody of his tomboy daughter, Carole (Sherry Jackson), Steve accepts an offer to take over the football program of impoverished St. Anthony's College in New York City. Disgusted with the team, Steve brings in new players. After his first game nets the school $31,000, an investigation into his shady recruiting methods threatens both his job and custody battle.