There’s nothing better than a good book to bring you closer to the game and learn about life. As a writer and coach I appreciate what it takes to weave a person’s history into an inspiring story. So I’ve put together a list of must-read memoirs by basketball coaches. The memoirs are filled with heartwarming and thought provoking stories that will also help you be a better coach.
If you don’t have time to sit down and read, then give an audiobook a try. Most of these are available through your library and online book sources. Download them and listen while you walk your dog, clean out your garage or sweep the basketball court before practice and learn a few more things about life and the game.
Written by: Coach Pat Summit with Sally Jenkins
Until recently, Pat Summit was the all-time winningest coach in NCAA Division 1 basketball history (women or men). She became head coach of the Tennesee Vols when she was just 22 years old, and then over a 38 year period went on to win 1098 games and eight National Championships. She played on and coached Olympic Women’s BAsketball teams, was Sports Illustrated “Sportswoman of the Year” and is in the basketball Hall of Fame. She graduated 100 percent of her players and because of her influence, 74 of her players have gone on to become coaches. The memoir Sum It Up shares how coach Summit faced her greatest challenge, early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The book details her journey starting with her “tough love” upbringing through her diagnosis and gives insight into how she became such an influential coach. Other powerful books by Pat Summit are Reach The Summit and Raise The Roof.
Written by: John Wooden with Jack Tobin
They Call Me Coach is a classic. Coach John Wooden taught young men about life as well as the game of basketball at UCLA. And during his time there brought the UCLA bruins Men’s Basketball team to 10 NCAA Championships. In They Call Me Coach he talks about his life, his players and his coaching phylosophies. He covers on-court and off-court wisdom that will benefit all coaches. Learn more about John Wooden and books at like Wooden on Leadership: How to Create a Winning Organization and ( ) at johnwooden.com.
Another great book about coach Wooden is “Coach Wooden and Me: Our 50-Year Friendship On and Off the Court” by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (descrive) who played for Coach Wooden at UCLA in the late 60’s. Abdul-Jabbar is a former proffesional basketball player who played twenty seasons in the NBA, was NBA’s MVP six times and an NBA All-star nineteen times.
Standing Tall: A Memoir of Tragedy and Triumph.
Written by: C. Vivian Stringer & Laura Tucker
Vivian stringer was the first coach to lead three different women’s basketball teams to NCAA Final Four appearances and is in the Basketball Hall of Fame and Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. She was the head women’s basketball coach at Rutgers University 1995 to 2022. In her memoir Standing Tall, Stringer shares her personal and professional experiences of facing challenges, overcoming loss and standing up for what’s right. This book will inspire the reader on and off the court.
Written by: John Thompson with Jesse Washington
I Came As a Shadow is Coach John Thompson’s unfiltered and honest autobiography. He became head coach of Georgetown Univeristy in 1972 and coached there for twenty-seven years. Georgetown became National Champion in 1984 and won seven Big East Championships. He was four-time National Coach of the Year, and his athletes had a 97 percent graduation rate. He was an outspoken and strong character and his memoir is no different. It shares experiences with coaching as well as his work as an educator and black activist.
The Gold Standard: Building a World-Class Team
Written by Mike Krzyzewski with Jamie K. Spatola
Coach Mike Kryzewski was the head men’s basketball coach at Duke University from 1980 to 2022. Coach K, as he is often called, led the Blue Devils to five national titles and twelve final four appearences. The Gold Standard is the story of coaching the 2008 US Olympic Basketball Team. It shares his thoughts on leadership and team building, and how he learned from the experience. Learn more about Coach K’s coaching phylosiphy with Leading with the Heart: Coach K’s Successful Strategies for Basketball, Business and Life.
Hard Work: A Life On and Off the Court
Written by Roy Williams with Tim Corthers
Hard Work shares Coach Roy Williams’ story of building championship programs at Kansas and University of North Carolina. His coaching focused on dependability and hard work. He has one of the highest winning percentage among division 1 men’s college basketball coaches and his memoir gives insight into what makes him so successful.
Players First: Coaching from the Inside Out
Written by John Calipari
Coach Calipari has guided six teams to the Final Four, won a national championship and is in the Basketball Hall of Fame. His book Players First takes you on Coach Calipari’s journey to Kentucky and foloows his first four years as the head men’s basketball coach. The book focuses on his “players first” coaching philosophy and how to create a winning culture and improve the lives of players both on and off the court.
Never Stop: Life, Leadership, and What It Takes to Be Great
Never Stop is a must read story. Endlessly striving to be the best, Dan Hurley has worked through personal and professional challenges, including bouts of anxiety and depression and become one of the most famous coaches in America.
“SUCCESS IS PEACE OF MIND WHICH IS A DIRECT RESULT OF SELF-SATISFACTION IN KNOWING YOU MADE THE EFFORT TO BECOME THE BEST YOU ARE CAPABLE OF BECOMING.”
-Coach John Wooden
