In a move that solidifies the series pickup chances for NBC's "Friday Night Lights," veteran Jason Katims has been tapped as executive producer/showrunner.

If the project, inspired by Peter Berg's 2004 film, joins NBC's schedule during the 2006-07 season as anticipated, Katims will serve as executive producer alongside the pilot's writer-director, Berg, as well as Sarah Aubrey, John Cameron and Brian Grazer.

Set in the present day, "Lights," from Imagine TV and NBC Universal TV Studio, stars Kyle Chandler as the coach of a small-town Texas high school football team.

The show, developed with the upcoming return of the NFL to NBC in mind, is rumored for a possible Sunday berth on the schedule in conjunction with the network's football coverage.