John Wooden is most famous for being the coach of the UCLA Bruins college basketball team from 1948 – 1975, during which time he won 10 national championships. During his 27 year tenure as Bruins coach, he coached eventual NBA superstars such as Bill Walton and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. In 2009, Sporting News Magazine named Wooden the Greatest Coach of All Time.
Before coaching UCLA, however, Wooden has a brief stint at Indiana State, during which time he amassed a 44-15 record. His overall NCAA coaching record was 664-162.
After his coaching career, Wooden authored many books pertaining to basketball and life.
Wooden’s legend and legacy will always be alive on the UCLA campus. From the mystical Pauley Pavilion which Wooden petitioned for following his back to back championships in ’64 and ’65 to the UCLA campus holiday that bears his name (Even if it only comes once every four years on February 29th).
Wooden had been suffering from various health problems since early 2006. He passed away of natural causes on June 4th 2010. He will truly be missed, but we must remember…Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die.