As one of America’s best college basketball analysts, Seth Davis, has earned a reputation as a writer who thoroughly researches and seeks “the story beneath the story.” In his book, “Wooden,” Davis provides the most comprehensive study of the man many consider to be the greatest coach of any sport.

The author spent nearly seven years compiling both anecdotal notes along with hours of direct, person-to-person interviews with the vast array of people who impacted and were impacted by Coach Wooden. What the book turns out to be is a tremendous history of not only Wooden’s well-documented career success, but a comprehensive documentation of the complexities and traits of the man many of his era called, “Saint John.”

There have been a plethora of books over time that reflected the teachings and accomplishments of John Wooden. From a tactical view, Coach Wooden, himself, authored one of the “bibles” of basketball titled, “Modern Practical Basketball.” Numerous biographers and journalists have utilized Wooden’s famous “Pyramid of Success” as the nucleus for writings, teachings and reflections of the great coach’s philosophy. Many of Coach Wooden’s life-long beliefs are still held up today as models for coaches, parents and teachers; his own father’s “Seven-Point Creed” is credited as the core of his personal and coaching beliefs.

In “WOODEN: A Coach’s Life,” the reader is taken to a much deeper level of understanding with John Wooden’s formative years. To hear from those who either shaped the coach’s early times or had the opportunity to witness his actions as a participant, is the great benefit that Seth Davis brings alive in the book. Davis offers tremendous detail and paints a vivid picture of Coach Wooden and the manner he lived and taught as a teacher-coach at both the interscholastic and collegiate levels.

Coaches often are expected to perform and respond with “black-and-white” parameters. In studying the multitude of situations (both high-profile and lesser-known) that Coach Wooden responded to over his career, it is clear that Wooden had a very human side to him. The author clearly portrays “Coach” as one who also struggled, at times, with societal and cultural changes that were taking place in the ‘60s and ‘70s. It is fascinating to follow the “behind the scenes” stories that Davis researched and shares within the book.

Today, there are many who indicate that the championship streaks UCLA basketball experienced over 40 years ago would never happen in our current era. As such, it could be easy for many to dismiss the inner-workings and teachings of the “Wizard of Westwood.” However, this biography is worth the read for any coach who desires a grasp of their profession beyond the “Xs & Os”!

Often, iconic people are portrayed without the “warts and blemishes” in narratives of their lives. Certainly, this book is not a “tell-all” nor was it meant to be an unmasking of the mythical aura of the legendary UCLA and Coach Wooden era. It is a masterful and exhaustive composition that can serve coaches, regardless of their sport, as a clear portrait of modeling leadership.

“WOODEN: A Coach’s Life” is not a quick read (523 pages). However, the book pulls the reader in and immerses one into the life one of the greatest teacher-models in sport. It is a book that every coach should consider as one of the most impressive resources they could include in their personal library.