UCLA’s legendary former basketball coach John Wooden, who in 27 years led his teams to stunning triumphs and was just as well known for mentoring his players off the court and for his motivational “Pyramid of Success,” died at 6:45 p.m. of natural causes. He was 99. His 100th birthday would have been Oct. 14.
Wooden had been admitted to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center on May 26. Funeral services will be private. Per the wishes of the family, there will be a public memorial at a later date, with a reception for former players and coaches.
Half of the HOF is coming to the dude's funeral. He recruited like no other.
Re: John Wooden hospitalized June 3. On June 4 he died, age 99
RIP.
One of the best coaches in basketball history. He is one of the many that made basketball the world famous sport that it is today. 99 years (almost 100) and more than a third of that was his coaching career: that is a pretty darn long time if you think about it. Very respected man around the basketball world with so many accolades. I didn't watch his coaching career (don't think many around here have) but he will not be forgotten any time soon regardless. A true basketball wizard.
Re: John Wooden hospitalized June 3. On June 4 he died, age 99
IMHO,
THE greatest coach in basketball history. He won titles with a team that had no starter over 6-5. He won titles with a fast-breaking, full-court pressing, guard dominated team. He won a couple of titles with forward dominated teams. And he won titles with the best big men to ever play in college basketball. He won titles in an era of no shot-clock, and no 3pt shot to aid in a comeback. He had winning streaks of 41, 47, and 88 games. He won 10 titles in 12 years (and if freshmen had been allowed to play in '66, he probably would have won 11.) AND, if his '74 team had not blown a seven-point lead in OT against NC St. (a team they routed 84-66 earlier in the season BTW), they would have won 12 in a row. Incredibly, his teams won 38 straight NCAA tournament games..and most of them were blowouts.) His 67-69 UCLA "Dynasty" went 88-2, and those two losses were by scores of 46-44, and 71-69 (and they avenged that loss against Houston in the '68 semis with a 101-69 rout.) His 88 game winning streak came to an end, 71-70, in a game with that they led 70-59 with 3 minutes left. A case could be made that his losses were more historic than his wins.
How great a coach was he? Dean Smith, with arguably as much, if not more talent, won TWO titles. Wooden won TEN.
In any case...a truly great man has passed away. RIP.
Re: John Wooden hospitalized June 3. On June 4 he died, age 99
Wow this is sad news... I am surprised this thread is not getting more run...
I wonder if folks here (not all) don't realize the impact that this fine person had on the game and beyond... He was so much more than just a basketball coach... and as a basketball coach, he was the best the college game ever had.
take the time to watch that to see how he was beyond a terrific basketball coach. notice how lively and thoughtful he is and realize he is 90 here. espn has a section of 'woodenisms'. SI is running an article from a player's past experience with wooden. pay tribute, if not today, sometime this week.
Last edited by blacknapalm : 06-05-2010 at 12:14 AM.
take the time to watch that to see how he was beyond a terrific basketball coach. notice how lively and thought he is and realize he is 90 here. espn has a section of 'woodenisms'. SI is running an article from a player's past experience with wooden. pay tribute, if not today, sometime this week.
Re: John Wooden HOSPITALIZED. Update: On June 4 he died, age 99
