New Girl fans know the Fox comedy would have been nothing without the hit comedy's stellar lineup of characters. For its seven-season run, the sitcom spotlighted a rotating cast featuring stars like Megan Fox, Linda Cardellini, and Dermot Mulroney, among others. Yet the most beloved recurring actor was part of New Girl's original ensemble from its 2011 premiere before disappearing for a few seasons.

Damon Wayans Jr. debuted in the pilot episode as Coach, a personal trainer and one of the three roommates Jess initially settled into the loft with after her breakup. However, Wayans Jr. was gone by the second episode. Fans were left wondering what happened to Coach in New Girl after Episode 1.

Updated by Alex Roush on December 11, 2024: Coach is a fan-favorite character in New Girl, even though he doesn't appear throughout the whole series. After he disappeared from the pilot and returned to seasons 3 and...