Building a Champion: On Football and the Making of the 49Ers [Paperback]

Bill Walsh (Author), Glenn Dickey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1992

Football's most innovative and successful coarch reveals the philosophy and tactics that shaped the teams of the decade, the San Francisco 49ers. Walsh shares for thefirst time his unique insights into building a dynasty and reveals how he learned from his mistakes as well as his many successes in route to Super Bowl victories and a consistent winning legacy. 16 pages of photographs.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Walsh, coach of the great San Francisco 49ers teams of the 1980s, not only tells how he turned a perennially losing football team into a dynasty but vividly reveals what goes on behind the scenes of pro football. Walsh discusses how he used the draft and trades to build his team and shape the 49ers awesome offense. A notch above the usual sports autobiography, his books offers an intelligent yet entertaining look at pro football. Recommended.
- Ron Chepesiuk, Winthrop Coll., Rock Hill, S.C.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 350 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Mass Market Paper (September 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312925794
• ISBN-13: 978-0312925796
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,168,176 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good stuff from one of the NFL's greatest coaches! October 27, 2001

By Zagnorch

Format:Hardcover

Being a fan of American pro football in general and the Niners in particular, I decided to give Bill Walsh's 'Building a Champion' a read. With the help of bay area sports scribe Glenn D!ckey, Walsh's famous calm and analytical style is faithfully translated to the written page. Throughout the course of this paperback, Walsh discusses his career of coaching in the NFL, from his initial assisting gig with the Raiders to his developing what would become known as the West Coast Offense as the QBs coach of the Bengals and Chargers in the 70s.

Then there's his biggest challenge and achievement- the turnaround of the San Francisco 49ers from league doormats to the team to beat in the 80s. From season to season, Walsh discusses the many highs and lows of coaching the Niners. He also goes into his philosophy and methods that helped keep the team successful over the years he coached them, and helped to maintain their success for several years following his departure. Sadly, many of his thoughts on how to improve and maintain a championship-form team would likely be considered outdated today, what with the added difficulties of less restricted free agency and the
salary cap, which he covers this in his follow-up, 'Finding The Winning Edge'.

Walsh also goes over the many trials and tribulations that he endured, such as learning the effects of drug abuse on players (lowlighted by a disastrous tryout by the infamous 'Hollywood' Henderson), and his coming close to quitting following the team's horrific showing in the strike-shortened 1982 season. I found his memories of dealing with the media somewhat absorbing, the high point- or low point, rather- being a confrontation with legendary Monday Night Football commentator Howard Cosell. Then there's the aspect of coaching that no sideline leader enjoys: the cutting of a beloved past-his-prime veteran. Walsh admits that this, out of all his duties, is the one he dreaded the most when he was running the show.

The last few pages are a small index of some of the most famous plays in 49er lore. Included is 'Brown Left Slot- Sprint Right Option' (Dwight Clark's Catch against Dallas), 'Red Right Tight- F Left- 20 HB Curl- X Up' (Montana's TD pass to Taylor to win Super Bowl XXIII), and a few other notable offensive formations.

Whether you're a Niner fan or a football follower in general, this is definitely one for your must-read list!

'Late

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is why he was the "genius" September 13, 2005

By Jason Perdue

Format:Hardcover

This is a great book by Bill Walsh on how he sculpted the 49ers in the 80's and why ultimately since then,he's so emulated today by other coaches. There really wasn't a so called "west coast offense"...it was simply the Bill Walsh offense plain and simple.

Apparently,no one wanted to call it that but we all know where that offense was derived from. This book shows you how inteligent and articulate the man was and why he's recognized as one of the best ever. Here's some handy advice in regards to this book,if you don't understand football that well,there's no point in reading this because you probably won't know what he's talking about.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a splendid book by The Genius July 11, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Coach Walsh walks you through year-by-year his perspective on the 49ers magnificent decade. He also discusses his experiences with the Bengals and Chargers as an assistant as well as Stanford's leader. There is an appendix with some famous plays.