The Legend of Coach John Wooden

"Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming."

"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."

"Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts."

"There are many things that are essential to arriving at true peace of mind, and one of the most important is faith, which cannot be acquired without prayer."

"What you are as a person is far more important than what you are as a basketball player."

Now, you might think that the first 4 quotes might have come from presidents, preachers, businessmen, world leaders, or social activists... but that last one gives us insight into the most impactful, unique, and successful coach in American sports history - John Wooden. Wooden died last Friday at 99. His legend and legacy may not ever be surpassed by another coach in the sports world because of those quotes above (and many others), the way Wooden went about his business, and his reach across all walks of life.

Through his writings and teachings, John Wooden is not just a respected figure of the basketball and sports world, but almost every walk of life. Anyone that is in a leadership position can benefit from the famous Pyramid of Success. Wooden was just as knowledgeable about faith, leadership, and literature than basketball. Perhaps no other coach in the sports world has had such a sizeable positive impact on so many people. Wooden's incredible coaching numbers - 10 national titles including 7 consecutively, an 88 game winning streak, and an 885-203 record - are less significant than his teaching that will far outlast the achievements on the basketball court.

"Perform your best when your best is required. Your best is required each day."

Wooden is not only a coaching legend, but one of the legendary figures of the 20th century in America. John Wooden is one of the very few people in the sports world that can transcend athletics into everyday life... and for positive reasons - not steroids or sex scandals. John Wooden continues to be an exemplary figure for the absolute best in sports.

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

Compare the image of John Wooden to the image of noteworthy college coaches in the last decade. Nick Saban lying. Bobby Petrino running out of town. Mike Price and Larry Eustachy partying it up with kids. George O'Leary lying on his resume. John Calipari leaving NCAA violations and stripped Final 4 appearances wherever he goes. Our most recent example - Lane Kiffin and an ego the size of the Pacific Ocean inciting riots in Knoxville. And don't forget Dave Bliss wanting to portray a deceased player, Patrick Dennehy, as a drug dealer to cover up his misdeeds. I wonder where any of this junk is on the pyramid...

"Ability may get you to the top, but character keeps you there - mental, moral, and physical."

Who's America's favorite current coach quote machine - Jets head coach Rex Ryan. Let's take a look at what he has contributed to American society...

"With all the cameras, I was looking for our new president back there. Oh, well. I think we'll meet him in the next couple of years anyway."

"If you take a swipe at one of ours, we'll take two swipes at one of yours."

"I never came here to kiss Bill Belichick's rings."

"I don't know this Channing Crowder. But all I know is that he's all tatted up so I need to be nervous about him."

And how could we forget this...

Of course, I'm not expecting a Wooden-like quote to be the lead story on PTI or Deadspin, but it might be nice to go back in time and have respected coaches again. And, maybe all of the coaching scandals and loudmouth soundbytes are a comment on where our world is as much as anything. In contrasting John Wooden with the current sports landscape, the appreciation for his gifts to the sports world grows substantially. Now more so than ever, it's time to appreciate the brilliance of John Wooden in celebrating his life and legacy... and maybe bring back some Woodenisms to the sports world.

"Never mistake activity for achievement."

"Be prepared and be honest."

"It isn't what you do, but how you do it."

"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."