Early pack-pulled autograph of the best coach in college history!

John Wooden, often called the greatest coach in the history of American sports, had a legendary career primarily as the head coach of the UCLA men’s basketball team. Here are his career highlights:

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Coaching Career Highlights:

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NCAA Championships (10)

• Won 10 national titles in 12 years (1964–1975)

• 7 consecutive titles (1967–1973) – still unmatched

• First coach to win more than 2 NCAA championships

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Incredible Win Record

• 620–147 overall coaching record

• .804 career winning percentage

• Won 88 consecutive games (1971–1974), an NCAA record at the time

• 4 perfect seasons (including 30–0 in 1967, 1972, 1973)

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UCLA Dynasty

• Coached UCLA from 1948 to 1975

• Built one of the greatest dynasties in sports history

• Developed legendary players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor) and Bill Walton

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Coaching Philosophy & Legacy

• Known for his “Pyramid of Success,” emphasizing character, teamwork, and effort

• Revered for his wisdom and teaching beyond basketball

• Nicknamed the “Wizard of Westwood”

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Awards & Honors

• 3x AP Coach of the Year (1967, 1972, 1973)

• Presidential Medal of Freedom (2003)

• Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:

  • As a player (1960)

  • As a coach (1973)

  • One of only four people inducted as both

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Playing Career

• All-American guard at Purdue (1930–1932)

• Won a national championship (Helms Foundation) in 1932

• Nicknamed “The Indiana Rubber Man” for his hustle and diving on the court