DAILY DOZEN (30): JOHN WOODEN

On Friday evening, college coaching legend John Wooden, most famous for his tenure as head coach of basketball at U.C.L.A. As a former basketball coach, I am saddened by the loss of Coach Wooden. He was the first coach I can recollect from college basketball and when I started coaching he was my idol. Later in life, when I gained an understanding for John Wooden the person, I gained a greater appreciation for Wooden, the man. I tried to find the words to convey my feelings for John Wooden, but no matter how hard I tried, I could not find better words than those of Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski:

"Today, we've lost a giant in all of sport with the passing of Coach Wooden. Many have called Coach Wooden the 'gold standard' of coaches. I believe he was the 'gold standard' of people, and carried himself with uncommon grace, dignity and humility."

In memoriam, I have expanded the Daily Dozen to the Daily Thirty. Thanks, Coach, for the great childhood memories that made me a fan of U.C.L.A. basketball for life. Rest in peace.

1. John Wooden: A Coaching Legend (Biography). (UCLABruins.com)
2. Legendary John Wooden dead at 99. (Yahoo)
3. Legend lost: Former UCLA coach John Wooden, 99, dies (Text & Interactive). (USA Today)
4. John Wooden, who built incomparable dynasty at U.C.L.A., dies at 99. (The New York Times)
5. Timeline: The life of legendary UCLA coach John Wooden. (USA Today)
6. John Wooden’s career (Slide Show). (The New York Times)

7. 8-clap honors Wooden on June 4, 2010. (Daily Bruin - UCLA)
8. No loose ends with Wooden (Text & Video). (The Boston Globe)
9. Former Wooden players recall coach. (ESPN Los Angeles)
10. Remembering John Wooden, the Wizard of Westwood. (Time)
11. Wooden-Walton relationship has a lasting impact. (The San Diego Union-Tribune)
12. Torre, Dodgers remember Wooden. (ESPN Los Angeles)

13. Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden created a legacy to last a lifetime. (New York Daily News)
14. UCLA's John Wooden was an iconic coach, but an even greater man. (New York Daily News)
15. John Wooden follower Doug Ogle fondly remembers UCLA coach, plans to carry on his legacy. (New York Daily News)
16. 'Woodenisms' stand test of time. (New York Post)
17. Wooden left his imprint on game of life. (New York Post)
18. Players, coaches revere John Wooden. (New York Post)

19. Wooden Journeyed Far, Anchored By His Roots. (The New York Times)
20. Wooden as a Teacher: The First Lesson Was Shoelaces. (The New York Times)
21. John Wooden's words live on in the hearts of his admirers. (Los Angeles Times)
22. Legendary UCLA coach John Wooden's lessons on basketball ring true today (Text & Photo Gallery). (The Washington Post)
23. Wooden stood as man of constancy. (Sports Illustrated)
24. Something special about the first: How '64 Bruins made John Wooden. (Sports Illustrated)
24. For legendary coach Wooden, poetry was a passion, escape. (Sports Illustrated)

25. John Wooden: The English Teacher (Video). (Sports Illustrated)
26. Wooden stood as man of constancy. (Sports Illustrated)
27. Dick Enberg Remembers John Wooden. (CBS)
28. John Wooden's Pyramid Of Success (PDF). (JohnWooden.com)
29. John Wooden quotes. (BrainyQuote.com)
30. John Wooden: They Call Me Coach (Book). (Google Books)