John Wooden: The Best Coach of All Time?

Any "best of all time" list is subjective and speculative. It is virtually impossible to have reasonable knowledge of all coaches in all sports for all time. It is even highly unlikely anyone is going to be knowledgeable of all coaches around the world in a given sport, much less in a given sport for all time. 

Nonetheless, we seem to enjoy making lists and rankings of the "best of the bests."  ESPN's experts at one time offered the following list:

1. John Wooden          6.Toe Blake
2. Vince Lombardi       7. Bill Walsh
3. Red Auerbach          8. Pat Summitt
4. Paul Brown              9. Joe Torre
5. Bear Bryant            10. Dean Smith

It is an interesting list. One could argue with some on the list and some not being on the list. I could certainly not argue with John Wooden being No. 1, as I like his coaching style and always have been a fan of gentlemen coaches such as Mr. Wooden.

However, the reasons why I like Wooden are not valid criteria for discussion. The purpose of this article is not to create controversy as to who the best coach of all-time, but to look at the criteria we use when making the list.

My favorite quote which speaks to how good a coach is came from former Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints head coach O.A. "Bum" Phillips when speaking of his former coach Paul "Bear Bryant.

"Bryant can take his and beat yours, and then he can turn around and take yours and beat his."

This simple quote from a simple man speaks volumes as to what makes a great coach.  Let us examine some of the standard criteria. Later, I will present what I believe is a reasonable set of alternate criteria.

1. Championships - Everyone loves a champion. However, the absence or presence of pennants, banners, and championship rings is not a true indicator of the quality of a coach. It takes both players and coaching at any level to make championship teams. 

At the college level, it takes a good athletic director, good recruiting, and funding. At the professional level, it takes all of the preceding plus a good general manager.  All of the parts need to fit.

Noticeably absent from the list from ESPN is Phil Jackson, who is probably at the top of some other lists. Certainly, he is a good coach. I personally would not put Phil on the list as every place he has been, he has been blessed with great talent. 

If he were able to take a team like the 1972 Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA finals in the next year, then I would say you have something there.

2. Win/Loss percentage - This may sound like heresy, but win/loss percentage is merely an indicator, not a criteria. The same reasoning applies as above.

3. Popularity - Adolph Hitler was popular—for a while. Enough said.

I would like to offer an alternate set of criteria that has nothing to do with championships, coaching record, or popularity. I tried to come up with a top 10 list, but that would have been a stretch.

These six seem to cover the range of characteristics of what it takes to be a great coach.  I would like to know what you think.

1. Has Detailed Knowledge of the Sport, Its Strategies, and Rules
A good coach must have in-depth understanding of the sport from the fundamental skills to advanced tactics and strategy. Coaches must plan for the season,  know the rules, and provide a simple, structured system for the team to succeed.

2. Is Able To Teach and Communicate
No matter what a coach knows, if he cannot teach technique and systems to the players, the coach will never be effective. The coach must be able to simultaneously teach to all types of learners (visual, audio, and tactile) who are at various levels of skill.

The effective coach is a coach who communicates well and exudes credibility, competence, respect, and authority. He must be able to listen as well as speak.

3. Is Able To Innovate and Adapt
A good coach must continue to learn and develop new strategies and techniques. Over time, a game changes and the coach has to be able to change with it.

4. Is a Motivator
The successful coach is a motivator with a positive attitude and enthusiasm for the game and the players. The coach who can motivate is able to generate the desire to excel in athletes. 

How often have we seen a player flounder under one coach and coaching system and excel under another?

5. Is a Leader
The effective coach must also be a leader. A good coach adheres to the same rules they expect of the players. A coach who wants respect should also show respect. A coach who expects players to remain positive needs to display a positive attitude.

6. Loves What They Do
A great coach must love the sport, the players, and everything surrounding the game.  Besides being strongly committed to the sport the best coaches display a clear commitment to looking out for the best interest of the players.

A coach who scores high on all of these criteria would be considered a great coach.  Likely, if that same coach is blessed to have good athletes, staff, and surrounding cast, he will also be successful according to the standard criteria.