John Wooden Teacher, Coach, Parent
Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.
Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable. — John Wooden
The Stamp of Greatness
The United States Postal Service has honored John Wooden printing 18 million limited-edition John Wooden Forever stamps to recognize Coach for his lifetime of accomplishments. His legacy extends beyond the basketball court at UCLA—where he led the Bruins to an unprecedented 10 national championships—to his enduring impact as a teacher, coach, and mentor.
Coach Wooden taught the foundations of life with his Pyramid of Success—a framework built on character, integrity, and hard work— with the 25 characteristics, traits, and common behaviors that help define a successful person.
Jason Sudeikis, star and co-creator of the Emmy-winning show “Ted Lasso,” embodied Wooden’s teachings, demonstrating that success transcends wins and losses—it’s about inner peace and self-satisfaction.
The Apple on His Desk 🍎
John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach, considered himself a teacher first and foremost. He kept an apple on his desk as a constant reminder of this. But his journey began long before the basketball courts.
Wooden’s roots trace back to a humble farm near Centerton, Indiana. Life was challenging for the Wooden family—no running water, no electricity, and financial struggles. Yet, these hardships instilled in him the habits of discipline and hard work that would shape his future success. Wooden got his start as a high school teacher and coach at Dayton High in Dayton, Kentucky, in 1932.
I am most definitely a lifetime student of John Wooden going back to my college days at UCLA in the 1980s, reading all his books, and practicing Coach’s lessons throughout my life. Recently, I visited John Wooden’s Den preserved for posterity at the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame.
March Madness 🏀
Every year, along with millions of basketball fans, I look forward to watching March Madness, the incredible basketball tournament that defined John Wooden’s legacy. This year, I am excited to support the UCLA Women’s basketball team that honors the Coach with their character, integrity, and hard work. UCLA Fight, Fight, Fight!
A Journey from UCLA to READY, SET, GO! 🎓🏀📖
As I reflect on my journey from a student at UCLA to an author writing my book, READY, SET, GO!, I recall Wooden’s timeless wisdom in Chapter 9.
John Wooden, a coach and teacher, is widely regarded as the greatest NCAA basketball head coach of all time winning ten NCAA national basketball championships. However, his greatest accomplishments were not limited to basketball. He united a community, inspired them with victories, and showed them how to turn dreams into reality through mastering basic skills. Born in 1910, his journey started on a humble farm where he learned the importance of hard work and discipline from his father. These early lessons laid the foundation for what would later become his renowned Pyramid of Success, a roadmap for individual and team excellence, life principles, and a roadmap to being a better person. Coach began his career with a modest 6-11 record in his first year, marking his only losing season. As a teacher and coach, he emphasized the importance of the journey. He believed in building success step by step through sustained effort, and continuous learning.
