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The Road to J.O.Y.: Leading with Faith, Playing with Purpose, Leaving a Legacy
Scott Drew, head basketball coach of the NCAA National Championship-winning Baylor Bears, rebuilt a program mired in scandal by instilling a culture of putting Jesus first. The Road to J.O.Y. is packed with leadership and coaching lessons that can equip any leader to make their team a championship team. When Drew accepted the head coaching position at Baylor in 2003, the job was arguably the worst in all of college sports. The men’s basketball team had been disgraced by scandal: one player murdered a teammate, and the head coach who lied about the details tried to conceal illegal cash payments to his players, including a false allegation that the murdered player had been dealing drugs. It was an unprecedented story and a national embarrassment. Still, Coach Drew had a confident vision of what the program could be, even in the face of such adversity, and he guided his team to the pinnacle of success—Baylor’s first National Championship—while leading with, and living out, his faith. The Road to J.O.Y. shares: With equal parts inspirational memoir and personal and professional growth, The Road to J.O.Y. is perfect for anyone who is looking to better live out their faith, lead a team, achieve a goal, or mentor others.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published May 3, 2022
24 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 31, 2022
I thought this book sounded interesting, so I decided to give it a try. I know NOTHING about basketball and even MORE nothing about college basketball, but the story of how the new head coach and his staff and the athletes turned the team around (it took a LOT of time and hard work, it wasn't a magic fix) caught my attention.
I'm glad that I decided to try it. It not only kept my attention while on my commute, but gave me hope for humanity as a whole. The coach's faith and how he and his staff shared it with the athletes was powerful and humbling.
My only quibble is that the acronym, J. O. Y., which is in the title of the book, doesn't get explained until quite a ways into the book. It stands for Jesus first, Others next, then You.
Great philosophy and way to live, and love. Accidentally hit the "o" when typing out "live" and realized that both words fit, so included both.
Even if you know nothing about basketball, this is a worthwhile read/listen. We can learn from anything if we try and God works in ways we don't always understand.
4, highly recommended, stars.
My thanks to libro.fm and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to listen to and review this book.
I'm glad that I decided to try it. It not only kept my attention while on my commute, but gave me hope for humanity as a whole. The coach's faith and how he and his staff shared it with the athletes was powerful and humbling.
My only quibble is that the acronym, J. O. Y., which is in the title of the book, doesn't get explained until quite a ways into the book. It stands for Jesus first, Others next, then You.
Great philosophy and way to live, and love. Accidentally hit the "o" when typing out "live" and realized that both words fit, so included both.
Even if you know nothing about basketball, this is a worthwhile read/listen. We can learn from anything if we try and God works in ways we don't always understand.
4, highly recommended, stars.
My thanks to libro.fm and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to listen to and review this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2024
Inspirartional. Tear jerking. Life changing. Consider my love for baylor basketball renewed 10x over
December 19, 2024
Such an authentic look at the recent history of Baylor basketball. As a student during their win, I remember rushing the field at the win vividly (and fondly), but this book is so much bigger than that moment. Drew doesn't go a single paragraph or line of thought without pointing to someone or some idea beyond himself. He gives credit where credit is due above and beyond and consistently shows how God is good in the wins and God is good in the losses. This book is really his testimony more than anything, a witness to what God can do in a single situation and how we are all connected through the kingdom. The JOY and fellowship we have in this life is a beautiful reflection of Heaven, and Drew wants nothing more than more every reader to know the truth that is found in Christ Jesus. This is not a sports book; this is a reflection of the gospel, and I cannot recommend it enough.
June 27, 2022
The combination of Jesus, Baylor, and basketball really does it for me here. Scott Drew continues to wow me with his devotion to Jesus and others. Learning the details of the very beginning of Baylor basketball when he first started, hearing into the highs and lows of each season, and discovering what the Lord was teaching Scott amidst it all. If you are a Baylor fan, this is a must-read. Even if you're not, it's an amazing testimony.
January 13, 2024
This was such a good book. Aside from being a die-hard Baylor fan (the basketball scandal happened at the end of my freshman year, plus I was in the basketball band/Courtside Players, so I’ve watched, cheered, and supported from the beginning of this era), Scott Drew’s approach to coaching and leadership is inspiring. Jesus-Others-Yourself is such a simple, yet profound approach to life and treating everything you do as a ministry opportunity.
November 11, 2024
Yay for Coach Drew, Baylor Basketball and most importantly God.
Scott Drew and his heart for the Lord is so evident in this book. I appreciate his passion for his players and for their journeys as well. Any time I think about the way he brought this program from the brink of the death penalty to a national championship and now a nationally recognized program yearly I tear up a bit.
This book also felt a bit like a Waco who’s who. Mark Wible felt like a supporting character and Highland is mentioned like three times. Which is just kind of fun.
Sic ‘em!
Scott Drew and his heart for the Lord is so evident in this book. I appreciate his passion for his players and for their journeys as well. Any time I think about the way he brought this program from the brink of the death penalty to a national championship and now a nationally recognized program yearly I tear up a bit.
This book also felt a bit like a Waco who’s who. Mark Wible felt like a supporting character and Highland is mentioned like three times. Which is just kind of fun.
Sic ‘em!
October 29, 2023
In an industry dominated by scumbags and shady characters, it is amazing to watch Scott Drew achieve excellence with his faith at the forefront of it all. He has impacted countless lives & the book does a great job reinforcing this.
April 30, 2024
Absolutely tremendous.
June 19, 2022
This book, written by Scott Drew, the coach of the Baylor University men’s basketball team, is about the culture of J.O.Y. (Jesus, Others, Yourself), and Baylor men’s basketball. As his co-author Don Yaeger writes, this isn’t a book about a basketball team, rather it’s a book about a ministry. In this inspiring book you will read about how Coach Drew integrates his faith and work as the men’s basketball coach at Baylor.
The book takes us through the 2020-21 season, in which Baylor won the NCAA Championship and the parade which followed in Waco, Texas. Drew had taken the job in 2003 which writes was arguably—because of a tragedy and scandal—the most infamous team in all of college sports. He writes of his life leading up to Baylor - his father was also a basketball coach and his brother made a famous shot to win an NCAA game for Valparaiso. He attended Butler University, where he tells us he learned how to be a coach. He would replace his father as head coach at Valparaiso, where he coached for a year before taking the Baylor position. In his first season he and his coaching staff tried to figure out how they could be competitive with only eight scholarship players.
His first three years, and the third year especially, helped solidify in his own heart the kind of foundation they were trying to build at Baylor. He writes that helping take a program from the brink of the NCAA “death penalty” into the NCAA tournament in five seasons was the kind of thing that God had to be involved in.
Most important, Drew writes that they saw their program as a ministry (chapel messages, players accepting Christ, being baptized, etc.). He writes that as coaches they spend as much time on their spiritual posture and positioning as anything else. There’s nothing more important that they can teach the players. He tells us that he is a basketball coach and likes to win. But he has come to understand that winning the game of life is the only game that matters.
He tells us that in the off-season of 2019, he started reaching out to men of faith whom he felt he could learn from. The coaches knew they needed to increase their pursuit of God and incorporation of Jesus into their program. Coach Drew called coaches Dabo Swinney and Tony Dungy. They started to tell him about a culture of J.O.Y., which stood for Jesus, Others, Yourself. They implemented the culture of J.O.Y. into their daily routines at Baylor, and putting Jesus first in that overt way literally changed their program.
He writes that their team came together inside that Indianapolis (COVID) Bubble in ways that only made them better as a team, even when basketball was the furthest thing from our minds. Their entire group, one through thirty-four, was there to invest in and pour into one another. He tells us that in some ways, it was three weeks of the closest thing to the early church lifestyle any of them had experienced.
Baylor would beat Gonzaga in the national championship game, the culmination of the eighteen years Coach Drew had been at Baylor and the incredible challenges God helped them to overcome.
I really enjoyed this inspiring book about how Coach Drew integrated his faith and work as the men’s basketball coach at Baylor University, the challenges and successes. Below are some of my favorite quotes from the book:
• Sometimes God calls us at the times when it doesn’t seem to make much sense. So, we have to rely on him and seek his hand in all of it.
• One of the things I’ve learned: always give 100 percent and let God decide the results.
• When you have what seems like an impossible task, don’t forget to ask Jesus to make the impossible possible and seek his guidance throughout.
• In life, I think God uses our process as much as our progress. We are shaped by the experiences God has for us, and I think that shaping equips us for the next parts of our journeys.
• When you regularly pursue God, it’s important to stop and see the ways he is speaking and moving in your life, even if the ultimate outcome isn’t yet what you’ve hoped for.
• A lot of times, during some of the moments the world would consider to be the lowest, God brings you the closest to him, making those moments, in hindsight, some of the best.
• Sometimes, when you find that you aren’t having the success you want, ask yourself if what you want is what God would consider success.
• I’ve always believed in trusting God with the outcome if you put in the work.
• When you have genuine faith, you see service for and investment in others as things you get to do, not things you have to do.
• If you live your life on mission for God, everything you do can be a ministry, because everyone you encounter can be someone you serve because Jesus has served you.
• Tomorrow is promised to no one. All we can do is make the most out of today.
• God often uses the least of us to make amazing things happen, not so much to bless the vessels he chooses for the mission but so when people look and see what has happened, they have no choice but to see it as a thing God has done.
• When you think of the things in your life as a ministry, instead of a career or a hobby, or even just a family, it changes everything.
The book takes us through the 2020-21 season, in which Baylor won the NCAA Championship and the parade which followed in Waco, Texas. Drew had taken the job in 2003 which writes was arguably—because of a tragedy and scandal—the most infamous team in all of college sports. He writes of his life leading up to Baylor - his father was also a basketball coach and his brother made a famous shot to win an NCAA game for Valparaiso. He attended Butler University, where he tells us he learned how to be a coach. He would replace his father as head coach at Valparaiso, where he coached for a year before taking the Baylor position. In his first season he and his coaching staff tried to figure out how they could be competitive with only eight scholarship players.
His first three years, and the third year especially, helped solidify in his own heart the kind of foundation they were trying to build at Baylor. He writes that helping take a program from the brink of the NCAA “death penalty” into the NCAA tournament in five seasons was the kind of thing that God had to be involved in.
Most important, Drew writes that they saw their program as a ministry (chapel messages, players accepting Christ, being baptized, etc.). He writes that as coaches they spend as much time on their spiritual posture and positioning as anything else. There’s nothing more important that they can teach the players. He tells us that he is a basketball coach and likes to win. But he has come to understand that winning the game of life is the only game that matters.
He tells us that in the off-season of 2019, he started reaching out to men of faith whom he felt he could learn from. The coaches knew they needed to increase their pursuit of God and incorporation of Jesus into their program. Coach Drew called coaches Dabo Swinney and Tony Dungy. They started to tell him about a culture of J.O.Y., which stood for Jesus, Others, Yourself. They implemented the culture of J.O.Y. into their daily routines at Baylor, and putting Jesus first in that overt way literally changed their program.
He writes that their team came together inside that Indianapolis (COVID) Bubble in ways that only made them better as a team, even when basketball was the furthest thing from our minds. Their entire group, one through thirty-four, was there to invest in and pour into one another. He tells us that in some ways, it was three weeks of the closest thing to the early church lifestyle any of them had experienced.
Baylor would beat Gonzaga in the national championship game, the culmination of the eighteen years Coach Drew had been at Baylor and the incredible challenges God helped them to overcome.
I really enjoyed this inspiring book about how Coach Drew integrated his faith and work as the men’s basketball coach at Baylor University, the challenges and successes. Below are some of my favorite quotes from the book:
• Sometimes God calls us at the times when it doesn’t seem to make much sense. So, we have to rely on him and seek his hand in all of it.
• One of the things I’ve learned: always give 100 percent and let God decide the results.
• When you have what seems like an impossible task, don’t forget to ask Jesus to make the impossible possible and seek his guidance throughout.
• In life, I think God uses our process as much as our progress. We are shaped by the experiences God has for us, and I think that shaping equips us for the next parts of our journeys.
• When you regularly pursue God, it’s important to stop and see the ways he is speaking and moving in your life, even if the ultimate outcome isn’t yet what you’ve hoped for.
• A lot of times, during some of the moments the world would consider to be the lowest, God brings you the closest to him, making those moments, in hindsight, some of the best.
• Sometimes, when you find that you aren’t having the success you want, ask yourself if what you want is what God would consider success.
• I’ve always believed in trusting God with the outcome if you put in the work.
• When you have genuine faith, you see service for and investment in others as things you get to do, not things you have to do.
• If you live your life on mission for God, everything you do can be a ministry, because everyone you encounter can be someone you serve because Jesus has served you.
• Tomorrow is promised to no one. All we can do is make the most out of today.
• God often uses the least of us to make amazing things happen, not so much to bless the vessels he chooses for the mission but so when people look and see what has happened, they have no choice but to see it as a thing God has done.
• When you think of the things in your life as a ministry, instead of a career or a hobby, or even just a family, it changes everything.
December 29, 2022
“This isn’t a book about a basketball team. It’s a book about a ministry.”
May 16, 2024
This book was highly encouraging, Scott Drew embodies everything a Christian should strive for in their daily walk with Christ. Coach Drew appears extremely humble, respectful of all backgrounds, persistent, committed, and genuine. I thoroughly enjoyed how his story was told, and appreciated Coach Drew’s humility and approach to life.
What I loved most about this book was Coach Drew’s approach to ensuring this book’s main priority was Christ first and his story second. You don’t have to be a sports fan to be impacted by this story - nor do you have to be a coach to apply the principles laid out in the book.
Additionally, this is the furthest thing from a book about coaching basketball. I’d encourage you take your time with this book, there’s a quote worthy statement on every page.
If you feel encouraged and spiritually motivated by this book as I did, the theme and big question I pondered was;
‘Am I firmly focused on Gods plan for my life no matter the circumstances I’m under?’ If yes, like Coach Drew how can I impact, pray for, and assist others in their efforts. If no, where can I find answers and help in achieving this level of comfort in Christ.
No matter your place in society/the church/your job/or your family I believe Coach Drew perfectly executed the idea that if you put Jesus first, others second, everything else will fall into place for you. From a perspective and role where so many other people are about themselves (everyone’s first nature let’s be honest with ourselves), Coach Drew broke the norm that the principles and foundation of the simple acronym J.O.Y can make all the difference in your life.
What I loved most about this book was Coach Drew’s approach to ensuring this book’s main priority was Christ first and his story second. You don’t have to be a sports fan to be impacted by this story - nor do you have to be a coach to apply the principles laid out in the book.
Additionally, this is the furthest thing from a book about coaching basketball. I’d encourage you take your time with this book, there’s a quote worthy statement on every page.
If you feel encouraged and spiritually motivated by this book as I did, the theme and big question I pondered was;
‘Am I firmly focused on Gods plan for my life no matter the circumstances I’m under?’ If yes, like Coach Drew how can I impact, pray for, and assist others in their efforts. If no, where can I find answers and help in achieving this level of comfort in Christ.
No matter your place in society/the church/your job/or your family I believe Coach Drew perfectly executed the idea that if you put Jesus first, others second, everything else will fall into place for you. From a perspective and role where so many other people are about themselves (everyone’s first nature let’s be honest with ourselves), Coach Drew broke the norm that the principles and foundation of the simple acronym J.O.Y can make all the difference in your life.
June 19, 2022
My husband is a Baylor alum so we follow Baylor sports from afar. He bought this book to send to my dad for Father’s Day, and I decided to read it and give my husband the highlights.
It is a positive and uplifting book that tells how Scott Drew became the head mens basketball coach when Baylor was making national news for all the wrong reasons. Drew saw the potential for the team to build itself back to a winning position using godly principles, including leadership and lifestyle choices. The book describes how even the circumstances of the pandemic led to building a team culture that put Jesus first, then others, then yourself —the acronym J.O.Y. Drew very humbly gives credit to God and others for taking the Baylor team to the NCAA Championship and winning.
I especially enjoyed learning about Drew’s family including his dad and brother who have also made names for themselves in basketball. The book is an easy read about sports, about Drew, and a spiritual testimony of what can happen with a culture of JOY.
It is a positive and uplifting book that tells how Scott Drew became the head mens basketball coach when Baylor was making national news for all the wrong reasons. Drew saw the potential for the team to build itself back to a winning position using godly principles, including leadership and lifestyle choices. The book describes how even the circumstances of the pandemic led to building a team culture that put Jesus first, then others, then yourself —the acronym J.O.Y. Drew very humbly gives credit to God and others for taking the Baylor team to the NCAA Championship and winning.
I especially enjoyed learning about Drew’s family including his dad and brother who have also made names for themselves in basketball. The book is an easy read about sports, about Drew, and a spiritual testimony of what can happen with a culture of JOY.
March 29, 2025
We are a basketball family, so of course I am interested in reading about the Drew family and Scott Drew's story of coaching at Baylor University. He relieves those early moments in the book of his family, the days of his dad Homer coaching and subsequently the rise of his younger brother Bryce to stardom climaxing with the shot in 1998 in the NCAA tournament that made the family famous and a part of basketball March Madness lore. I knew of his faith, but I didn't realize how much emphasis he put on living a life of faith before his players, coaches and the Baylor family. Though I did not pick his team to win it all the year that they did (my daughter-in-law picked them rewarding her with a win in our family's bracket challenge), I was happy for them, nonetheless. In such a competitive world, somehow, he took on the worst job in the country for basketball coaches and turned the vision of winning a national championship into a reality with God's help of course. Truly a story that should be celebrated.
June 11, 2022
I adore and admire Scott Drew! This book gave an inside view into his journey to taken a broken and scandalized team and focus on turning young men into quality men and quality basketball players instilling a culture of JOY (Jesus/Others/Yourself). This process has taken almost two decades, and the number of people Coach Drew has impacted both on and off the court is staggering. The way he unashamedly points to Christ in all things - good and bad - is inspiring. He never let the disappointments linger too long choosing instead to focus on what was coming next. He also never allowed the victories to inspire pride or become about what he did or didn't do. He uses everything and everyone as an opportunity to point others to Jesus. What a testimony!
If you like basketball, you will enjoy the game recaps in this book. If you like cheering for an underdog, you will enjoy this book. If you are a Baylor fan, you will enjoy this book. I highly recommend this book!
If you like basketball, you will enjoy the game recaps in this book. If you like cheering for an underdog, you will enjoy this book. If you are a Baylor fan, you will enjoy this book. I highly recommend this book!
March 20, 2024
As a former Baylor women’s basketball player, this was definitely a fun read! I’ve always been impressed with Coach Drew-he walks the walk! He shines with JOY in all he does. It was fun to read about his faith journey and Baylor story. I loved every moment of this book and especially admire how he included ALL former players to take part in the parade celebration. That says a lot about him and how he values former BU players (I wish the women’s team would have done that!). A must read if you are a Bear fan, basketball junkie, or believer. Thank you, Scott Drew, for bringing such JOY to our Baylor family!
May 31, 2022
Not necessarily a beautifully written book, but it is a beautiful story! I love, love, love college basketball and never realized how deep in the hole the Baylor basketball program was in. It restores my faith in mankind, to know that there are people like Scott Drew and his staff, devoted to their faith, school, players, and program- who get up every morning, work hard, with the right intent, not knowing where it’s going to take them. Takes the sting out a bit- from when they beat our beloved Zags in the 2021 NCAA Championship game!
May 21, 2022
This is an easy, fun, and faith-affirming read from Scott Drew that details his coaching career at Valpo and Baylor. More than anything, this is his witness of how God’s hand has blessed, directed, and guided him as a coach and in life. Indeed, this book may be more of a religious read than a basketball/life-coaching/motivational book. It’s full of great insights that can guide Christians who want to make their work part of their Christian ministry.
October 15, 2025
I'm a big fan of Scott Drew and Baylor basketball. After reading this book, I realize I probably have some minor theological differences with Drew. But, I'm thankful for a coach who is so open about his faith that I'm able to even be aware of said differences. He truly talks the talk and walks the walk. You can see it in how he is prayerful about everything in his life and in how he is so intentional about discipling his players.
May 16, 2022
Ted Lasso meets Billy Graham. Really a book more about ministry than basketball. Baylor made a home run hire with Scott Drew. He epitomizes what Baylor strives to be all about-Pro Ecclesia Pro Texana (for church for Texas). If you are a Baylor fan like me you will especially absolutely love this book! Everyone should read this book.
October 12, 2022
As a Baylor grad, Christ-follower, and big fan of college hoops, i am admittedly biased on this one. Drew is the walking definition of infectious optimism. He imbues this book with a Christian faith viewpoint. I came away with lessons on not just faith, but building teams, leadership, career navigation, and gratitude. A gem in its genre.
January 28, 2023
Easy and fun read about the importance of pursuing Jesus first in all things, always seeking to serve others, and how these are the ways we truly become who we were created to be. What we do in life is our ministry. From coaching basketball to teaching students to settling court cases. Recommend if you want to be encouraged!
May 18, 2023
In my group of top 5 favorite college basketball coaches, Scott Drew tells a story of how a successful program can be where faith outweighs talent and how a program with nothing to it's team can become a true powerhouse. A family man but looked up to his father the way I look at my own and how when things may seem impossible faith will always show you the way.
May 22, 2022
I really loved this book, and I think I am now a Baylor basketball fan. I loved seeing his journey from taking a job in a crumbling program to a national championship. His humility in the journey is remarkable; he gives the credit to all those around him.
July 6, 2022
Great book
It shows what college athletics should be about. Team before individual. NIL is killing that. Also, as a Christian it is very a very powerful testimony in what God can do with one person.
It shows what college athletics should be about. Team before individual. NIL is killing that. Also, as a Christian it is very a very powerful testimony in what God can do with one person.
August 10, 2022
Good book about a Godly man who puts Christ first in everything. Fantastic testimony.
However, whoever edited needs to go back to school. Lots of misspelled words, missed words, run on sentences, and bad punctuation.
However, whoever edited needs to go back to school. Lots of misspelled words, missed words, run on sentences, and bad punctuation.
January 5, 2023
Scott Drew’s story is wonderful to read, especially as a Baylor fan. What made me enjoy the book most was how he saw God work through his entire journey of bringing Baylor from rock bottom to championship glory.
May 5, 2022
After watching Baylor roll through the NCAA tournament and win it all it was great to get insight into the leader behind the team. Great book and even greater leader. I highly recommend this book.
June 11, 2022
Fantastic read. A coach and basketball program that prioritizes their players spiritual health over W/L’s is a powerful example to the sports world.
June 29, 2022
I mean, being a Baylor basketball fanatic, of course I’m going to give this 5-stars. Sic em!
July 3, 2022
A practical and real way sport and faith are used together.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews