Great Article - John Wooden

Finally catching up on the pile of reading...

And just finished off the John Wooden article written by Alexander Wolff in the 3/19/07 issue. (The one with the photo collage.)

Great article...Check it out.

I was intrigued by these points on Wooden's first title run.

- I didn't realize that Wooden didn't win his first title until the age of 53.
- Wooden took a psychology class during his first title year.
- Wooden asked other coaches to scout his team and share critiques.
- He re-molded his staff, and he surrounded himself with 'non-yes' men.
- Stated later that he had blundered early in his career by associating too much with 'yes' men. Confided that "Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who'll argue with you."
- He believed that his new press would create such chaos that 'disharmony and disunity' would infiltrate the opposing team.
- Wooden courted conflict because he believed a worthwhile lesson might emerge from the clash.
- How I will never not list Goodrich/Hazzard as one of the best college backcourts of all-time.
- How speed beats size...(Even better that they ran Duke's Hack Tison and Jay Buckley out of the gym.)

Wooden said that all points came from a sign that he hung in his office that said. "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."



I have all the respect in the world for Wooden, and I still need to read more about this guy. Does anyone have their suggestion for the best 'real' Wooden read? I would like to get a non-propaganda book...;)

Wizard of Westwood,
IronDog