The Greatest Coach Ever: Timeless Wisdom and Insights of John Wooden

by Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Coach John Wooden's teams won 10 NCAA mens basketball championships at UCLA and Sporting News magazine named him the greatest coach of all time. Yet decades after he retired and now after his passing, his wisdom capsulized so clearly in his famous Pyramid of Success continues to guide new generations of athletes, coaches, and people of all walks of life.In The Greatest Coach Ever, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes features 40 tributes from athletes, coaches, and other influential leaders like Bobby Bowden, Tom Osborne, Sue Semrau, Tony Dungy, Mike Singletary, Tamika Catchings, Joe Girardi, Jim Tressel and David Robinson playing honor to Coach Wooden and reflecting on how his example has challenged and changed them. Their stories can challenge and change your life, too.Coach Wooden appreciated the tributes and the honor of being called the greatest coach ever, but felt uncomfortable with the title. He was eager to see that this book points to the one whom he calls the greatest coach ever.I am happy being remembered as a man of integrity. I like that, --John Wooden, May 21 2010.

Genres: Sports, Leadership, Christian, Audiobook, Nonfiction

197 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2010

Reviews

[Justyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything about John Wooden is 5 stars, I call this book a 3.4 out of 5. So I rated it as 3 stars.

It was nice to hear all these different perspectives about John Wooden and all he brought to the table. I did enjoy this read, it did not quite meet my expectations tho and this is not a book I will read a second time.

The best book about Coach Wooden is called 'they call me coach'. THAT book is 5 stars all day long with every word and every line. Go read that one first and save this book to be the last book about John Wooden that you read.

[Celena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trying to make a pentagon fit into a square hole. Almost works, but not quite.

[Tasha Bedford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book with great inspiration and commitment to being the best coach possible.

[Jason Roland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about this incredible man. It was interesting.

[Cindy L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspirational book. Makes you want to be like John Wooden.

[Joey D · Rating 5 out of 5]

wasn't what I expected but well worth the read. you can only try your best right now, you can't double try your best tomorrow

[Julie Snodgrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good daily devotion for coaches and leaders

[Karla Osorno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful. Timeless. I did not want this book to end. I savored every story, every truth, every word. And I will savor them again and again as long as I live.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is former UCLA basketball coach worthy of being called the greatest coach ever? The Fellowship of Christian Athletes thought so when the book 'The Greatest Coach Ever: Timeless Wisdom and Insights of John Wooden (The Heart of a Coach Series)' was first published in 2010.

'The Greatest Coach Ever' does not follow the typical formulation for constructing a definition of greatest ever. Such a definition might get into qualities of successful teams on the college basketball court. (Incidentally, UCLA experienced amazing levels of successful competition if measured only the team performance).In addition to these tangible things, Coach Wooden created a bond with players and sometimes opponents, plus others, that extended well past the coach / player behavior.

'The Greatest Coach Ever' is divided into a series of forty essays by prominent athletes, coaches, and public figures who were of a Christian faith at the time of the publishing of the book. Each essay would include the following things:
1. An introduction of the essay and contributor.
2. A quote by John Wooden that speaks to the essay.
3. A definition of the relationship the contributor had with Wooden, Wooden's wisdom, or both.
4. A contextual rephrasing of the quote framed as Wooden's Wisdom.
5. A method or methods for practicing (or applying) the wisdom call Training Time.
6. A summation of the contributor's biography.

Les Steckel was the president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at the time Greatest Coach Ever was published. He provided the first and fortieth essay of the forty presented. Contributing luminaries included former U.S. Navy and San Antonio Spurs star David Robinson, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks executive Jerry Colangelo, Cincinnati Bengal star Anthony Muñoz, and Chicago Bear star Mike Singletary.

More than one luminary discussed John Wooden's famed Pyramid of Success, along with specific passages or anecdotes of religious thought that Wooden lived by and demonstrated. Many spoke of Wooden acting as a coach and lifelong mentor. The nodules of wisdom were helpful instruction and worth the effort of reading the book.

Overall, I give 'The Greatest Coach Ever' 3.75-stars out of five. The decision to withhold direct quotes in this review was deliberate.

[Jimmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book on John Wooden, the legendary coach for UCLA’s basketball team. The book centers on Wooden’s Christian faith and character. It is written by various people who knew him and/or were influenced by him over the years. The contributors vary from basket ball players, coaches, pastors, businessmen and athletes from other sports. The book is set up with a devotional format in which writers share a lesson from their reflection on coach Wooden’s life followed by some questions to stir the readers to examine their own life and walk with God. I am typically cautious of any discussion about faith and sports since at times it can seem quite cheesy and amount to nothing more than a social religion to provide a motivational positive-thinking speech in the locker room before a game. Ironically sometimes such “sports religion” can be more man-centered in its outlook rather than being truly God-centered or biblical. While there were times while I was reading the book that I felt some of the contributors’ points were forced or cheesy or even a bit prideful (“I did this, I did that”), nevertheless I thought this book manage to impart wisdom to the readers concerning character and leadership beyond the realm of sports. I was happy to see the Gospel even shared in various moments in the book! There were also good spiritual reflections too especially with Coach Wooden’s priorities of putting God first, then family and then his work. I was to find the constant theme throughout the book that it’s not about winning—rather it is doing your best—which leads to the spiritual lesson that our life is about spiritual faithfulness to the Lord and not outward success. Knowing people who personally knew coach Wooden’s life and faith kept me going with the book. I’m not much of a sports guy myself and I managed to finish this—I imagine those who love sports and Christianity would appreciate this work more than I could have. I deeply appreciated this book from Wooden’s life as an example of what faith looks like in the workplace.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one better than Pyramid of Success because it focused a little more on the actual impact Coach Wooden had on people. They explained how his principles effected their lives and the results. However it still makes a few too many biblical comparisons for my tastes. Some of them seeming to be a little forced given how the explained that Coach Wooden never preached or used scriptures to teach his values.

[Emerson Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an autobiography. I really enjoyed this book because it taught me how to be a better person on and off the basketball court. I would recommend this book to any student-athlete or coach, because it helps you to understand the meaning of being a student-athlete and the expectations you have like doing good in school. Also, it teaches you about how to be a better person and for coaches ways to make their team better. So yes I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great man and what an amazing devotional book. " There is only one kind of life that truly succeeds, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior. Until that is done, we ate on an aimless course that runs in circles and goes nowhere." Coach Wooden

[James Bauslaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great devotional book for coaches, leaders and athletes!

[Art Sathoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coach Wooden was one of a kind

[Diego Leal · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was good to see that they grabbed many personalities from the world of sports to speak about the impact of John Wooden on their lives. It was more religious, than I expected.

[Aaron W. Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed this shot in the arm. Refreshing and inspiring.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sports meets Christianity. Interesting to hear all the "I found Jesus" stories from big-time sports stars. John Wooden was an amazing coach who had a profound influence on so many people.

[Ben Stevenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight on the influence and wisdom of John Wooden.