Coach Wooden - by Pat Williams & Jim Denney (Paperback)

About the Book

Based on seven principles given to Coach Wooden by his father, this book helps the reader discover how to be successful and a person of character and integrity.

Book Synopsis

When Coach John Wooden graduated from eighth grade, his father gave him a handwritten card and said, "Son, try to live up to this." On the card, his father had written seven simple yet profound life principles:

Be true to yourself
Help others
Make friendship a fine art
Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible
Make each day your masterpiece
Build a shelter against a rainy day by the life you live
Give thanks for your blessings and pray for guidance every day

These principles were the key to Coach Wooden's greatness--and his goodness. Through powerful stories and pithy advice, this book shares the wisdom that made Wooden happy and successful. This inspirational and conversational book, now in trade paper, will encourage, challenge, and motivate readers to build these principles into their own lives.

From the Back Cover

Legends aren't born. They're made.

When John Wooden finished eighth grade, his father gave him a handwritten card and said, "Son, try to live up to this." On the card, his father had written seven simple yet profound life principles. These principles were the key to Coach Wooden's greatness. Through powerful stories and advice, this book shares the wisdom that made Wooden happy and successful, not just in his career but in life. This inspirational book will encourage, challenge, and motivate you to build these principles into your own life so that you can impact the lives of others.

"I only spent three years at UCLA while Coach Wooden was still coaching, but I received a lifetime of positive influence from being around him. I'm positive that you will find this wonderful book as valuable and powerful as I have."--Dick Vermeil, former Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams, and Kansas City Chiefs head coach

"John Wooden not only taught his players about basketball, he taught them how to live and appreciate life. I respect John Wooden as a great coach but more importantly as a great man."--Tommy Lasorda, former Los Angeles Dodgers Hall-of-Fame manager

"Drop everything you're doing and start reading."--Mike Krzyzewski, Duke University head basketball coach

"This book is loaded with Wooden wisdom that will deeply impact all of us."--Bill Parcells, Miami Dolphins executive vice president of football operations

"Coach Wooden was a master of getting people to perform at their maximum. This text will define why he was the greatest leader ever to grace the sidelines."--Dick Vitale, ESPN college basketball analyst


Pat Williams retired as senior vice president of the NBA's Orlando Magic in May 2019 to head up an effort to bring major league baseball to Orlando. He has more than 50 years of professional sports experience, has written more than 100 books, including the popular Coach Wooden, Coach Wooden's Greatest Secret, and Character Carved in Stone. Find out more at www.patwilliams.com.

Jim Denney is a writer with more than eighty published books to his credit. His collaborative titles include Reggie White in the Trenches, Undefeated, A Model for a Better Future, and numerous books with Pat Williams, including Go for the Magic.

About the Author

Pat Williams retired as senior vice president of the NBA's Orlando Magic in May 2019 to head up an effort to bring major league baseball to Orlando. He has more than 50 years of professional sports experience, has written more than 100 books, including the popular Coach Wooden, Coach Wooden's Greatest Secret, and Character Carved in Stone. Find out more at www.patwilliams.com.

Jim Denney is a full-time freelance writer with more than 80 published books to his credit. His collaborative titles include Reggie White In the Trenches: the Autobiography; Undefeated, with father-son Super Bowl/Rose Bowl champs Bob and Brian Griese; A Model for a Better Future with Kim Alexis; and numerous books with Pat Williams, including Go for the Magic.