The legendary coach talks about his life, his players, and his winning philosophies in this bestselling autobiography
John Wooden's dedication... read full description
reviews
Jul 11, 2010
Michael
rated it: 
[I finished this book two days before John Wooden departed, and I just couldn't bring myself then to write this review until now, almost two months later.]
They Call Me Coach is a book about life and basketball, written by the Hall of Fame player and coach John Wooden. The book covers his playing years and (mostly) the coaching career, especially with the UCLA Bruins. The strict yet kind life philosophy of John Wooden is impressed in almost every line, and served him well in completi More...
They Call Me Coach is a book about life and basketball, written by the Hall of Fame player and coach John Wooden. The book covers his playing years and (mostly) the coaching career, especially with the UCLA Bruins. The strict yet kind life philosophy of John Wooden is impressed in almost every line, and served him well in completi More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 26, 2010
Marianne
rated it: 
Good autobiography of a man really ahead of his time as a basketball coach, but what I enjoyed most was reading about him as a person - I wish there were more of that in the book. But who he was as a person, he was as a coach and vice-versa. I have a soft spot in my heart for teachers, which is truly what he was. One of the great ones - really changed lives, not just made championship basketball teams. The only other thing I would say is that maybe I would like to read a biography about him
More...
Feb 07, 2012
Ryan
rated it:
John Wooden has written a lot of books in his years after coaching. This one was written in 1972, while he was toward the end of his decades-long career at UCLA and during his run of coaching 10 NCAA champs in 11 years.
It's a fairly quick read, covering a lot of ground with language that feels a little bit dated at times. It is probably a tribute to Mr. Wooden that he considered his duties counting high school ticket receipts equal to his coaching UCLA at the pinnacle of their success. More...
It's a fairly quick read, covering a lot of ground with language that feels a little bit dated at times. It is probably a tribute to Mr. Wooden that he considered his duties counting high school ticket receipts equal to his coaching UCLA at the pinnacle of their success. More...
Nov 01, 2011
Jelinas
rated it:
John Wooden is the winningest coach in NCAA history, and a legend in the world of basketball. I spotted his autobiography on a friend's bookshelf and asked to borrow it. She also insisted that I take The Zookeeper's Wife. Suffice it to say that I thought this book was the better of the two.
There were three big things that I was left with at the end of the book:
One of the things that really struck me about this book was the way in which he described his former players. He spea More...
There were three big things that I was left with at the end of the book:
One of the things that really struck me about this book was the way in which he described his former players. He spea More...
Aug 03, 2010
Ryan
rated it:
I've had this book on my shelf for over a year, and with the passing of the Wizard I thought it was a good time to finally read it. A great step back in time. We have gotten so accustomed to the mega-million dollar world of college sports that it's hard to imagine a different time. I have to admit, some of Coach Wooden's principles seem archaic and outdated. But that makes me guilty of what CS Lewis calls "chronological snobbery." Just because modern values have changed, it doesn'
More...
Jun 29, 2011
Brian K.
rated it: 
John Wooden, the winning-est coach in NCAA history gives the secrets to his success and gives the glory to his Creator in the process.
A great non-fiction read about leading in today's socio-economic times of upheaval. If more leaders today would be, "out front with a banner than behind with a whip" then we wouldn't be in the financial mess this country finds itself today.
A great non-fiction read about leading in today's socio-economic times of upheaval. If more leaders today would be, "out front with a banner than behind with a whip" then we wouldn't be in the financial mess this country finds itself today.
Jan 16, 2012
Kevin
rated it:
An excellent auto-biography of the late John Wooden. The legendary UCLA basketball coach provides interesting stories laced with wisdom that is relevant to fans, players, and coaches. Memorable quotes abound throughout the text, and many parallels can be drawn to issues faced by teams today.
Nov 15, 2009
Tom
rated it:
A quick read.
Wooden won 10 national championships in 12 years while coaching UCLA's basketball team. And he did it at a time when the establishment was fond of denouncing "the youth of America" and suspicion of authority ran rampant among the young. Quite an accomplishment. The man is simply an American Icon. When Wooden speaks, a smart man listens.
They Call Me Coach is a brisk tour through Wooden's formative years and the long list of successes he enjoyed as More...
Wooden won 10 national championships in 12 years while coaching UCLA's basketball team. And he did it at a time when the establishment was fond of denouncing "the youth of America" and suspicion of authority ran rampant among the young. Quite an accomplishment. The man is simply an American Icon. When Wooden speaks, a smart man listens.
They Call Me Coach is a brisk tour through Wooden's formative years and the long list of successes he enjoyed as More...
Sep 05, 2009
Tom
rated it:
I read the original version of this book back in 1972, and shortly afterwards was able to meet him in a small classroom setting and get a autographed copy of his Pyramid of Success.
Aug 21, 2011
Carlos
rated it:
There are few people in sports who can impact so many, in such a positive way. This book is an incredible read and reminds us of the importance of values and integrity.
Jun 13, 2009
Seth
rated it:
This is a man's man.
He loved two things: his wife and his basketball team.
He loved two things: his wife and his basketball team.
Jul 07, 2009
RB
rated it:
Great book wish it would have kept going. I need to buy a copy of this to have. Pyramid of Success. Sydney Wicks. Gail Goodrich. Keith Erickson. Sven Nater. Not to mention Henry Bibby, Lewis Alcindor and just the barest mention of Bill Walton. I’m on to the next Wooden book.
Jul 31, 2010
Smith
rated it:
Lot of good coaching philosophies in the book and also a lot of good historical information on his teams. Book format seemed impersonal and lacked emotion - I doubt Coach Wooden is that way.
Aug 01, 2008
Tricia
rated it: 
I liked how it started, hearing about his youth, and where he grew up. When I got to his career, I wasn't nearly as interested. Maybe if I was more of a college basketball fan...
Feb 20, 2008
Eric
rated it:
John Wooden is recognized as one of the greatest basketball coaches in the history of the game. He won an amazing 10 NCAA National Championships. A truly great leader.
Jul 06, 2008
Big
rated it:
One of coach Wooden's many outstanding books. You can tell that he was a very Christian man who saw himself as a teacher, rather than a coach.
Jun 10, 2008
Dan
rated it:
Great text describes Coach Wooden's philosophy and his coaching of the UCLA Bruins Men's basketball team.
Jan 17, 2008
T. Wicked
rated it:
Wonderful autobiographical account of the greatest coach in sports history.
Jun 02, 2008
Eric
rated it:
How could I not like this book. John Wooden is an all-time hero of mine.
Feb 10, 2012
Feb 08, 2012
