They Call Me Coach [Hardcover]

John R. Wooden (Author), Jack Tobin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1972

The legendary coach talks about his life, his players, and his winning philosophies in this bestselling autobiography

John Wooden's dedication and inspiration made him America's "winningest" coach. His beliefs in hard work and preparedness brought the UCLA Bruins an unparalleled 10 NCAA basketball championships. Now in this bestselling autobiography--with a Foreword by Hall-of-Famer Bill Walton--the college basketball legend reflects on his record-breaking career, his life behind the scenes, and how his top players went on to shape and change the NBA.

From the everyday basics to important life lessons ("It's not how tall you are, but how tall you play"), Wooden shares his worldly wisdom on and off the court to offer a personal history of an unforgettable time in college basketball, answering the most-asked questions about his life, his career, and the players who made his teams unbeatable.

"They Call Me Coach is grass-roots Americana, a story bigger than basketball. One of those rare sports books that is must reading for everyone."
--Chicago Tribune

"What Knute Rockne was to football, Connie Mack to baseball, and Wilbur and Orville Wright to flying, John Wooden is to basketball. This book captures the full flavor of the man, the philosophies that work in life, and the philosophies that work on the court. I commend it to people who want to succeed at either--or both."
--Los Angeles Times

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

8 1-hour cassettes --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

The classic autobiography of UCLA basketball's legendary coach

"They Call Me Coach is grass-roots Americana, a story bigger than basketball. One of those rare sports books that is must reading for everyone."

--Chicago Tribune

For 27 years, John Wooden led the UCLA basketball team to unsurpassed victories and records. His dedication and inspiration made him America's "winningest" coach. In this classic bestselling autobiography--updated with a new foreword by Hall-of-Famer Bill Walton--the college basketball legend reflects on his record-breaking career, his life behind the scenes, and how his top players went on to shape and change the NBA. From the everyday basics to important life lessons ("It's not how tall you are, but how tall you play"), Wooden shares his worldly wisdom on and off the court to offer a personal history of an unforgettable time in college basketball, answering the most-asked questions about his life, his career, and the players who made his teams unbeatable.

"What Knute Rockne was to football, Connie Mack to baseball, and Wilbur and Orville Wright to flying, John Wooden is to basketball. This book captures the full flavor of the man, the philosophies that work in life, and the philosophies that work on the court. I commend it to people who want to succeed at either--or both."

--Los Angeles Times

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 190 pages
• Publisher: Word Books, Publisher (December 1972)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876803052
• ISBN-13: 978-0876803059
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #719,510 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Coach John Wooden was named The Greatest Coach Ever by Sporting News and Coach of the Century by ESPN. He won 10 NCAA championships as Head Coach of men's basketball at UCLA. Since then, his wisdom, summarized most famously in his Pyramid of Success, has reinforced his status as a modern-day legend. His memorable mottos, unforgettable turns of phrase and timeless, sage advice have enriched countless lives.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than basketball: a formula for winning in life., June 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: They Call Me Coach (Paperback)

John Wooden thoroughly puts forth the principles that he practices in his life as a coach, former coach, and citizen. His trips through nostalgia are insightful and incisive. More than a book on how to play better basketball, it is more in line with how to be a better person. A must read for individuals who are working with children and adults and feel that high standards and accountability are important for them and their charges.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They Call me the Greatest....is what it should be called., May 17, 2001

By 

"theknightwhosays_neeek" (Flowing Water Canyon, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: They Call Me Coach (Paperback)

They Call Me Coach by John Wooden is not only one of the greatest sport books I have read but also one of my all time favorites too. In his book he tells you of his early struggle through the Depression and from the constant moving of his family. In the book he tells you of his father's enormous impact on his life, from his inspiration talks with him or just the poems he quoted. One of Wooden's own thoughts has stuck in my head also. It reads,"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."(pg 56) This great book deserves five stars because of how John Wooden can take a topic of teaching basketball, and stretch it to other sports and even educational goals. If you do not even play basketball you will like this book because whatever the sport you play, this book has something that you can apply to it. His Pyramid of Success is great and I feel it should be in every locker room of every sport. The diagram states how success can be acheived through making your team an actual team, by making them come together and be in the same mind set. These are few of the major reasons why anyone should read this book.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic book about a classic coach., July 14, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: They Call Me Coach (Paperback)

When you have lost all of your faith in sports, buy and read this book. Coach Wooden takes us through the wonderful journey of his life, from a young boy growing up in a small Indiana town to the multiple national championships at UCLA. Its too bad there aren't more coaches like John Wooden, a truly inspiring individual