A biography for John Woodenhasn’t been written yet.
“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”
“There's as much crookedness as you want to find. There was something Abraham Lincoln said - he'd rather trust and be disappointed than distrust and be miserable all the time. Maybe I trusted too much.”
“I don't think I was a fine game coach. I'm trying to be honest. I think I was a good practice coach.”
“We can have no progress without change, whether it be basketball or anything else.”
“I worry that business leaders are more interested in material gain than they are in having the patience to build up a strong organization, and a strong organization starts with caring for their people.”
“Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.”
“Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”
“Well, your greatest joy definitely comes from doing something for another, especially when it was done with no thought of something in return.”
“I think that in any group activity - whether it be business, sports, or family - there has to be leadership or it won't be successful.”
“Teaching players during practices was what coaching was all about to me.”
“Just try to be the best you can be; never cease trying to be the best you can be. That's in your power.”
“You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one.”
“Be prepared and be honest.”
“I don't believe in praying to win.”
“I'm not afraid to die.”
“If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have the time to do it over?”
“Earn the right to be proud and confident.”
“Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.”
“If a player's not doing the things he should, put him on the bench. He'll come around.”
“Just do the best you can. No one can do more than that.”