Man of the House

Texas Ranger Roland Sharp is pulled into a case that hinges on protecting the witnesses to a drug kingpin's murder. The witnesses are a tight group of University of Texas cheerleaders whose testimony could topple a dangerous operation. To keep them safe and within reach, Sharp goes undercover as the squad's assistant coach and moves into their world, trading his badge for pep routines and practice drills. He fumbles through campus slang, pep rally logistics and unfamiliar social rituals while trying to maintain discipline and focus. The lines between protector and part time mentor blur as Sharp and the team train for a big game, with Anne, Teresa, and Evie offering both support and trouble along the way. Outside the gym, Sharp must balance discipline with humor as he learns to trust his instincts.

Directed by Stephen Herek, Man of the House comes from an original screenplay by John J. McLaughlin, Scott Lobdell and Robert Ramsey. Released in 2005, the comedy action pairs Tommy Lee Jones as Sharp with Cedric the Entertainer as Percy Stevens, the squad's coach.

Box office receipts total roughly 21.6 million dollars worldwide, a figure that sits well short of the film's 40 million dollar budget. The modest performance reflects a mid range release that found a modest audience among fans of the blend of action, humor and family friendly misadventure.

While the movie earned little in the way of major awards, it found observers who enjoyed the clash between Jones's terse lawman and Cedric's easy going foil. Reviews often highlighted the buddy dynamic and comic set pieces rather than prestige charms.

Culturally the film has a quiet footprint, mainly remembered by fans of late 2000s light action comedies. A few quotes and sight gags linger, but it did not ignite a lasting trend or redefine the genre.