Legendary coach John Wooden dies

[1979Shocker]

Former UCLA coach John Wooden dies at 99

LOS ANGELES - John Wooden, college basketball’s gentlemanly Wizard of Westwood who built one of the greatest dynasties in all of sports at UCLA and became one of the most revered coaches ever, has died. He was 99.

The university said Wooden died Friday night of natural causes at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, where he had been hospitalized since May 26.

With his signature rolled-up game program in hand, Wooden led the Bruins to 10 NCAA championships, including an unmatched streak of seven in a row from 1967 to 1973.

[1979Shocker]

John Wooden Obituary

[Txlen]

John wooden and Sam Gilbert definitely had a lot of success at UCLA, didn't they?

[Zardoz]

10 NCAA titles, 7 in a row and a 88 game winning streak are all marks that aren't likely to be repeated. Everything I've seen said he was a class act. At 99 he had a long run.

[wu_shizzle]

Amazing man. Basketball was blessed to have him for a while.

[xazshox]

Wooden

According to the Shocker Athletic History museum, a Shocker coach back in the 30's or 40's developed the zone press. Ralph Miller later used it & then Wooden saw it and adopted it, too.

[shockball]

I believe Gene Johnson is the coach you are referring to.

[xazshox]

Gene Johnson

Yep, that's him. His picture is above and inside the arena at the south end in the collage of former athletes and player.

[kcshocker11]

The Greastest!

[lilshock]

please forgive me but I have to chime in here. After all, this is a opinion site. Wooden was a huge cheater!!! He came out years ago and said he paid and bought cars for all his players. I cant believe they still have an award named after him. People all over the media talking about his integrity and basketball was blessed to have him. He was a liar and a cheat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-x Sorry.

[Awesome Sauce Malone]

proof or didnt happen.

[Txlen]

please forgive me but I have to chime in here. After all, this is a opinion site. Wooden was a huge cheater!!! He came out years ago and said he paid and bought cars for all his players. I cant believe they still have an award named after him. People all over the media talking about his integrity and basketball was blessed to have him. He was a liar and a cheat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-x Sorry.

Yes, and check Sam Gilberts relationship with UCLA during that era. Let's just say that he was the ultimate benefactor to UCLA Athletics and the basketball program in particular.

John wooden was an excellent coach, but Sam Gilbert greased the wheels (palms) that allowed Wooden to have the players needed to be successful.

[wu_shizzle]

please forgive me but I have to chime in here. After all, this is a opinion site. Wooden was a huge cheater!!! He came out years ago and said he paid and bought cars for all his players. I cant believe they still have an award named after him. People all over the media talking about his integrity and basketball was blessed to have him. He was a liar and a cheat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-x Sorry.

I've looked around online and have found nothing that says anything like Wooden himself paying players and buying things for them.

Boosters on the other hand, have taken care of players at every school since the beginning of time.

But how does this make Wooden a "huge cheater"?

[Snapshot9]

What a shame to tarnish Wooden's reputation and memory with someone's dubious recollection of what happened over 30 years ago.

Shame on you! If hardcore proof can not be offered to substantiate your wild claims, keep quiet.

Wooden is probably the greatest College Basketball Coach that ever lived.

He talked the walk, and walked the talk, in life, and on the court.

[lilshock]

You people are blind! He admitted he cheated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1