Jim O'Brien: Bucking the Odds [Hardcover]

Ralph Paulk (Author), Ralph Faulk (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 225 pages
• Publisher: Sports Publishing LLC (January 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582613133
• ISBN-13: 978-1582613130
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,440,725 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Before The Fall, October 25, 2006

By 

Bicycle Day - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Jim O'Brien: Bucking the Odds (Hardcover)

For a few years, coach Jim O'Brien had the Ohio State men's basketball program nearly on the same level of fan interest as the football team.

Taking over from the inept coaching and out-of-control operation of Randy Ayers, O'Brien and his staff brought the basketball team to heights not seen since the early 1960s. Author Ralph Paulk chronicles the life of O'Brien as a hoops ace as a youth through his initial years at Ohio State.

It is somewhat a strange biography, though. O'Brien was known for keeping his personal life separate from his public role as a head coach. The book reads at times like Paulk had a difficult or impossible time during the interviews to draw O'Brien out.

The section on Ayers is especially interesting, since the depths the program fell under his watch was never fully chronicled for fans. But please understand the book was published before O'Brien was fired due to the illegal payments to players and the court decision that ruled the firing violated his university contract.

O'Brien could have been a coaching legend with the Buckeyes. Paulk should have been writing about a coach on the fast-track to glory, not one who had already reached the summit in Columbus.

5.0 out of 5 stars Jim O'Brien: Bucking the Odds, July 17, 2003

By 

Ann (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jim O'Brien: Bucking the Odds (Hardcover)

Excellent reading. I was amazed how the author was able to capture the heart of mind of this magnificent coach. It is amazing how Coach O'Brien was able to turn the Bucks around. OSU is quite fortunate to have Coach O'Brien in their program. Kudos to Mr. Paulk. Ann Fields