Who Is John Wooden? Age, Biography and Wiki
John Wooden, born on October 14, 1910, and passing away on June 4, 2010, would have celebrated his 115th birthday in 2025. Known as one of the greatest basketball coaches in history, he led the UCLA Bruins to an unprecedented 10 NCAA championships in 12 years, showcasing his exceptional coaching prowess. Beyond his accolades, Wooden was also a motivational speaker and author, best-known for his "Pyramid of Success," a philosophy that extends beyond basketball, touching on character building and life principles.
| Occupation | Basketball Players |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 14, 1910 |
| Age | 99 Years |
| Birth Place | Hall, Indiana, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | India |
| Date of death | 4 June, 2010 |
| Died Place | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Popularity
John Wooden's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While John Wooden may not have had typical celebrity body stats, his physical presence was notable. Standing at approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall and typically weighing around 160 pounds during his prime years, his physicality was complemented by his larger-than-life personality and leadership qualities.
By the 1961–1962 season, the probation was no longer in place and Wooden returned his team to the top of the conference. This time, however, they would take the next step, and in so doing, unleash a run of dominance unparalleled in the history of college basketball.
UCLA reached the Final Four of the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history. A narrow loss, due largely to a controversial foul call in a 1962 semi-final game against Ed Jucker's eventual national champion Cincinnati team, convinced Wooden that his Bruins were ready to contend for national championships.
Two seasons later in 1964, the final piece of the puzzle fell into place when assistant coach Jerry Norman persuaded Wooden that the team's small-sized players and fast-paced offense would be complemented by the adoption of a zone press defense, which increased the probability of turnovers by the opposing team.
The result was a dramatic increase in scoring, giving UCLA a powerhouse team that went 30–0 on its way to the school's first basketball national championship and first undefeated season as the Bruins beat Vic Bubas' taller and slower racially segregated Duke team 98–83 in the final.
Walt Hazzard fouled out of the game late in the second half on a player control foul, but this proved to be insignificant when he cut down the net in celebration and was named tournament most valuable player.
Gail Goodrich (27 points), Keith Erickson, Fred Slaughter, Jack Hirsch, and reserve Kenny Washington (26 points, 12 rebounds) contributed to the UCLA win.
With no player taller than 6 feet, 5 inches, the Bruins' speed and zone press forced 29 turnovers and nullified the height advantage of Duke's Hack Tison and Jay Buckley, two 6-foot, 10-inch players.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
John Wooden was married to his wife, Nellie, for over 50 years until her death in 1985. The couple had two children together. Throughout his life, Wooden's focus remained on his family, basketball, and his personal development philosophy. There are no records of any significant relationships after his wife, suggesting a deep commitment to his late partner and his endeavors in coaching.
In the 1948–1949 season, Wooden was hired by the University of California, Los Angeles, to be the fourth basketball coach in the school's history. He succeeded Fred Cozens, Caddy Works, and Wilbur Johns; Johns became the school's athletic director. Wooden signed a three-year contract for $6,000 in the first year.
Prior to being hired at UCLA, he had been pursued for the head coaching position at the University of Minnesota, and it was his and his wife's desire to remain in the Midwest, but inclement weather in Minnesota prevented Wooden from receiving the scheduled phone offer from the Golden Gophers.
Thinking that they had lost interest, Wooden instead accepted the head coaching job with the Bruins. Officials from the University of Minnesota contacted Wooden immediately after he accepted the position at UCLA, but he declined their offer because he had already given his word to UCLA.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, John Wooden's estimated net worth was around $10 million. His wealth was primarily accumulated through a long and successful coaching career, book deals, and speaking engagements. He was known for his simplicity and humility; however, his financial successes are a reflection of the impact he made on basketball and education.
After college, Wooden spent several years playing professional basketball in the NBL with the Indianapolis Kautskys, Whiting Ciesar All-Americans, and Hammond Ciesar All-Americans, while he taught and coached in the high school ranks.
During one 46-game stretch, he made 134 consecutive free throws, which is still a professional record to this day (the NBA record is 97 made by Micheal Williams in 1993).
One notable instance made after hitting his 100th consecutive free throw had Kautskys owner Frank Kautsky pay $100 to Wooden directly during a game after briefly stopping it to celebrate his 100th professional free throw made in a row. He was named to the All-NBL First Team for the 1937–38 season.
Career, Business and Investments
Wooden's coaching career spanned several decades, but his most noteworthy achievements came during his time at UCLA from 1948 to 1975. His strategic approach to coaching and emphasis on discipline and teamwork transformed the basketball program and set new standards for college athletics. Outside of coaching, Wooden penned several influential books on leadership and personal success, solidifying his status as a thought leader. Although not extensively involved in business, his teachings and philosophies have been employed in various coaching clinics and workshops around the country.
One of the most revered coaches in the history of sports, Wooden was beloved by his former players, among them Lew Alcindor (later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and Bill Walton.
Wooden was renowned for his short, simple inspirational messages to his players (including his "Pyramid of Success"), many of which were directed at how to be a success in life as well as in basketball.
Wooden's 29-year coaching career and overwhelming critical acclaim for his leadership have created a legacy not only in sports but also extending to business, personal success, and organizational leadership.
Social Network
In the current digital age, John Wooden's legacy is celebrated across several social media platforms. His quotes and teachings appear regularly in motivational content on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, allowing new generations to learn from his wisdom. Fans and former players often share their experiences and memories, keeping Wooden's spirit alive in the conversations around sportsmanship and personal integrity.
In 1948, Wooden again led Indiana State to the conference title. The NAIB had reversed its policy banning black players that year, and Wooden coached his team to the NAIB National Tournament final, losing to Louisville. This was the only championship game a Wooden-coached team ever lost.
That year, Walker became the first black player to play in any post-season intercollegiate basketball tournament.
Education
John Wooden graduated with a degree in English from Purdue University in 1932, excelling not only in basketball but also academically. His educational background significantly influenced his coaching philosophy, where he emphasized the importance of education alongside athletics. Wooden was a staunch advocate for lifelong learning, inspiring countless athletes to prioritize both their sports and academic careers.
John Robert Wooden (October 14, 1910 – June 4, 2010) was an American basketball coach and player. Nicknamed "the Wizard of Westwood", he won ten National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) national championships in a 12-year period as head coach for the UCLA Bruins, including a record seven in a row.
No other team has won more than four in a row in Division I college men's or women's basketball. Within this period, his teams won an NCAA men's basketball record 88 consecutive games. Wooden won the prestigious Henry Iba Award as national coach of the year a record seven times and won the Associated Press award five times.
