by Eric Bailey

Created on: January 28, 2009

"It's amazing what people can accomplish when no one cares who gets the credit." - John Wooden

The first person to ever be enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach, the winner of a record 10 NCAA National Championships within a span of 12 years, and one of the inaugural five member of the founding class of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, John Wooden has provided a remarkably legacy of success.

Although the title of "best NCAA men's basketball coach" will forever be up to debate, just like any other argument that holds such a great many worth components in its considerations, what cannot be denied is that the Wizard of Westwood was a great coach, and worthy of inclusion in any "greatest" discussions.

A professor and author later in life, John was born in the small town of Hall, Indiana. He grew up like generations of good Hoosier boys that would rise after him: Playing backyard basketball, and starting his career young. After excelling at a high school and college level, remaining in Indiana, he would move onto coaching, where his true calling would beckon.

Following a stint coaching high school basketball, where he would mark the only time he ever held a losing record in a season, he briefly coached at Indiana State University. One notable event during his tenure there was his refusal to accept the invitation to the NAIB National Tournament, citing their policy banning African American players. A year later, NAIB would drop the ban.

And a year after that, Wooden began coaching at UCLA, where he would most prominently carve his niche in basketball history. The statistics speak for themselves, and loudly so: In 27 seasons, he won 665 games and 10 NCAA titles in his last 12 seasons, including 7 in a row from 1967 through 1873. These final glory seasons also featured four perfect 30-0 records, a record winning streak of 88 games, and winning 38 straight tournament games.

The enormity of his collegiate effectiveness is hard to consider. It is easy to say "he won 10 championships," yet so difficult to comprehend the journey that was required to do so. To keep it in perspective, winning a single NCAA championship is a noteworthy accomplishment, the culmination of March Madness. Also, Wooden's replacement at UCLA, Gene Bartow, went 28-5 in 1976 and lost in the national semi-finals. Yet despite an 85.2% winning percentage, he received death threats from unsatisfied UCLA fans comparing him rather unfavorably with Wooden.

Although a tremendous lot can be said concerning his records on the court, his conduct off of the court was notable as well. Whether or not a fan agrees with his Christian background and integrity-based books, his coaching style was inarguably effective yet gentle, disciplined, and efficient in its nature. The nearest recent comparison is perhaps the retired Tony Dungy in the NFL.

John Wooden has had recreation centers, Classic games, and awards named after him. He has been a testimony to health and longevity, has authored books to broad appeal, and gained rank in the Navy. Yet behind the towering shadow of his basketball wizardy stands the strong, humble heart of a man who sought no credit for his credentials. In this, perhaps, is where Wooden's greatness truly lies.

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