Being raised in So Cal I rememember Coach John Wooden. He won 10 NCAA national basketball championships as the head coach of UCLA where my dad Kim graduated from. John was there too (1964–1975). He even won seven championships in a row (1967–1973) — a record that still stands. He also coached 88 consecutive wins, another phenomenal unmatched achievement.
Would you like a back-to-the-basics list of John Wooden’s “Woodenisms”, grouped by theme? He lived like this, disciplined, and these are the core principles he repeatedly taught to any who were open to hear him, or wanted to win in colgate basketball. This stuff is simple, foundational, and profoundly deep.
I. The Basics of Character & Integrity (Who You Are)
“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation.”
“Be true to yourself.”
“Character is what you are. Reputation is what you’re perceived to be.”
“The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.”
“Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.”
“Your character is more important than your trophies.”
“There is no substitute for character.”
“You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”
“Talent is God-given. Choose to be and live humble. Fame is man-given - don't live for that. Be thankful. Conceit is foolishly self-given. Be careful.”
II. Effort, Hard Work & Discipline (How You Prepare)
“Success is peace of mind that comes from knowing you did your best.”
“Make each day your masterpiece.”
“Do the best you can. No one can do more than that.”
“Never mistake activity for achievement.”
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
“Success comes from knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.”
“There is no trick, no easy way — discipline and hard work.”
“Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out.”
“Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”
III. The Fundamentals (Back to the Basics)
Wooden famously taught players how to put on socks correctly to avoid blisters.
“Little things make big things happen.”
“The basics win games.”
“Details make perfection, and perfection is not a detail.”
“Learn the fundamentals and practice them relentlessly.”
“Failure to prepare is preparation for failure.”
“It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.”
“Good habits formed at youth make all the difference.”
IV. Teaching, Learning & Growth
“It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.”
“It’s not what you teach, it’s what they learn.”
“You haven’t taught until they’ve learned.”
“When you stop learning, you stop growing.”
“A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment.”
“Mistakes are part of learning.”
“Failing is not fatal, but failure to change might be.”
“Experience is not how long you’ve been doing something, it’s how well you’ve learned from it.”
V. Teamwork, Humility & Servant Leadership
“The star of the team is the team.”
“The main ingredient of stardom is the rest of the team.”
“No one achieves success alone.”
“Be interested in finding the best way, not in having your own way.”
“You must care more about others than about yourself.”
“A leader creates an environment where others can succeed.”
“The best leaders are servants.”
“Unity is strength.”
VI. Pressure, Poise & Self-Control
“Be quick, but don’t hurry.”
“Be quick, but don’t hurry.”
“Control your emotions.”
“Never let fear of failure get in the way of doing your best.”
“Poise under pressure separates the good from the great.”
“Confidence comes from preparation.”
“Do not let what you cannot control distract you from what you can control.”
VII. Winning, Losing & True Success
Wooden famously said he never mentioned winning.
“Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character.”
“Winning is a byproduct, not a goal.”
“Success is not measured by wins and losses.”
“Don’t measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability.”
“There is no victory in defeating the opponent — there is victory in defeating yourself.”
“You can lose when you outscore somebody in a game.”
VIII. Time, Priorities & Daily Living
“Make each day your masterpiece.”
“Make today the best day of your life.”
“Tomorrow is the only place where success comes before work.”
“Failing to plan is planning to fail.”
“Do not allow what you cannot do to interfere with what you can do.”
“Do not read the criticism. Read the compliments instead.”
“Use time wisely — it is your most precious resource.”
IX. Faith, Values & Perspective
Wooden’s worldview was deeply shaped by faith and moral clarity.
“The best competition I have is against myself.”
“Be thankful for your blessings.”
“Adversity is your asset.”
“Your strength comes from your values.”
“Don’t permit fear to dictate your decisions.”
“Success begins with self-control.”
X. The Pyramid of Success (Wooden’s Master Framework)
Cornerstones:
Industriousness
Enthusiasm
Building Blocks:
Friendship
Loyalty
Cooperation
Self-Control
Alertness
Initiative
Intentness
Condition
Skill
Team Spirit
Apex:
Competitive Greatness
(“Performing at your best when your best is required”)
In One Sentence (Wooden’s Philosophy):
Focus on the basics, build character, give your best effort daily, serve others, and let winning take care of itself.
If you’d like, I can:
Align these Woodenisms with biblical parallels
Create a Christian leadership or discipleship version
Or condense this into a one-page teaching handout for men, athletes, or leaders
John Wooden’s “back to basics” philosophy is for each of us to learn from, here it's carefully aligned with Scripture, biblical theology, and lived Christian practice—knowing God well.. deeply and making Him clearly well known. Sinners, repent and come to know Jesus by faith now. Saved-sinners (real reborn saints, Christians), repent if you need to, and come back to..come to know Hod in Jesus better than you do ..by faith. Now is good.
BACK TO THE BASICS:
Knowing God Well — Making God Known
A Christian Leadership & Discipleship Devotional
“Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom.. but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD.”
— Jeremiah 9:23–24
Here's My Guess At A Christian “Woodenism”:
“Real success biblically is given as a gift of grace. It's about faithfulness and fruitfulness in Christ—with the Father's forgiveness, peace of heart, soul, and mind that comes from the Holy Spirit, knowing you walk close with, follow in step with, obeyed God fully, loved people sincerely, and left the results of witnessing and biblically discipling people to Him.”
I. THE BASIC CALL: KNOW GOD INTIMATELY
Wooden taught that fundamentals determine outcomes. Scripture teaches the same thing: everything (blessings of free grace) flows from knowing God rightly.
The legendary UCLA coach John Wooden was a devout and practicing Christian who deeply integrated his faith, centered on Jesus Christ and the Bible, into his life and coaching philosophy, emphasizing character, integrity, and service, not just winning. He often stated his faith was paramount, viewing it as the foundation for his famous "Pyramid of Success," and read his Bible daily, seeking guidance and trying to live by Christ's teachings.
He openly, boldly spoke about his faith, saying, "I truly hope there would be enough evidence to convict me if I was ever persecuted for my faith," according to Abilene Christian University and a Eternal Perspective Ministries report.
John was an active churchgoer, attending Christian churches in Santa Monica and finding a new spiritual home at Shepherd of the Hills Church after that earthquake we all went through there.
“This is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
— John 17:3
Biblical knowing (yada, ginosko) is:
Relational, not academic
Obedient, not theoretical
Transforming, not optional
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
— James 1:22
Parallel to Wooden:
Wooden taught players how to put on socks before running drills. So basic!
God teaches us how to walk with Him before sending us to run for Him.
“Those who know their God shall stand firm and take action.”
— Daniel 11:32
II. THE BASIC DISCIPLINE: DAILY TIME WITH GOD
Wooden said, “Make each day your masterpiece.”
Scripture teaches us to obey the Word thus doing the same thing even better—eternally.
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
— Matthew 4:4
“Blessed is the man… whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.”
— Psalm 1:1–2
Statistics that Confirm Scripture:
Studies consistently show that Christians who read Scripture 4+ times per week are dramatically more likely to:
Go share their sound faith
Resist destructive habits, deny yourself and take up your cross to follow Christ
Experience peace, purpose, and moral clarity in prayerfully seeking God
Loneliness today, anxiety, and confusion rise sharply when people isolate themselves from Scripture-centered Christian community—exactly what Hebrews warned us about 2,000 years ago.
“Not neglecting to meet together… but encouraging one another.”
— Hebrews 10:24–25
III. THE BASIC CHARACTER: OBEDIENCE BEFORE OUTCOMES
Wooden never obsessed over winning. God doesn’t either.
“To obey is better than sacrifice.”
— 1 Samuel 15:22
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
— John 14:15
Christian Woodenism:
“God is not impressed with giftedness without godliness, nor passion without obedience.”
“Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”
— Luke 6:46
IV. THE BASIC MISSION: MAKE HIM KNOWN
A Christian is a saved sinner—a real saint biblically—rescued by grace and sent with purpose.
“We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
— Matthew 28:19
Two Groups We Serve:
Saved sinners — to be strengthened, grounded, and equipped
Lost sinners — headed for judgment, yet deeply loved by God
“Knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:11
Statistics that Align with Scripture:
Most unbelievers say they are more open to the gospel through relationships, not arguments.
Scripture said this first:
“Let your light shine before others.”
— Matthew 5:16
“The Lord… is not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
— 2 Peter 3:9
V. THE BASIC HEART: HUMILITY & SERVANT LEADERSHIP
Wooden taught, “The best leaders are servants.”
Jesus defined leadership that way forever.
“Whoever would be great among you must be your servant.”
— Mark 10:43
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
— James 4:6
Christian Woodenism:
“The measure of leadership is not how many follow you, but how faithfully you follow Christ.”
VI. THE BASIC SUCCESS: FAITHFULNESS
Wooden defined success as peace of mind.
God defines success as faithfulness.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
— Matthew 25:21
“It is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”
— 1 Corinthians 4:2
A GET-BACK-TO-BASICS CHRISTIAN QUOTE
“Know God deeply through His Word, walk with Him obediently each day, love people sincerely, and make Christ clearly known—then leave the results to God.”
A FINAL DEVOTIONAL PRAYER
God, bring us back to the Bible basics in Jesus. Use us too. Teach us to know You truly, obey You fully, wisely love others deeply, and proclaim Christ boldly—until You are glorified around the world and souls are saved by You alone.. as we witness confidently. Thanks Jesus. Amen.
