Influencial Coaches
John Wooden
Wooden is most known for coaching the UCLA Bruins for 27 seasons. Wooden won ten NCAA championships in a span of twelve seasons, including seven in a row from 1967 to 1973. He led the Bruins to a record winning streak of 88 games and four perfect 30-0 seasons. Wooden was the first person ever to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and as a coach. Wooden is also knows for grooming some of basketball's greatest players including Kareem Abdul-Jabar and Bill Walton, two dominant centers.
Red Auerbach
Red Auerbach coached the Boston Celtics in the 1950's and 1960's. He was the mastermind behind this dominant franchise that won eight straight NBA titles, a streak that has been nowhere near duplicated. Often chomping and smoking a cigar during games, Auerbach was a passionate coach, and his team's style reflected that. The team featured stars Bob Cousy and Bill Russell, two players whose talents, under the instruction of Auerbach, helped redefine the sport and its athletes.
Dean Smith
Dean Smith, with a record of 879-254, is the all-time winningest basketball coachin NCAA history. He coached North Carolina to the final four 11 times and won two National titles in 1982 and 1993. Smith was an innovator as well as a winner. He conceived of the "Four Corners" offense, the "foul line huddle," and the "run-and-jump" defense. Smith is one of only three coaches to win the NIT, NCAA championship, and Olympic gold medal (1976). Dean Smith coached Michael Jordan during college, arguably the game's greatest player.