Out of print for more than 30 years, now available for the first time as an eBook, this is the controversial story of John Wooden's first 25 years and first 8 NCAA Championships as UCLA Head Basketball Coach. This is the only book that gives a true picture of the character of John Wooden and the influence of his assistant, Jerry Norman, whose contributions Wooden  ignored and tried to bury.

Compiled with more than 40 hours of interviews with Coach Wooden, learn about the man behind the coach. The players tell their stories in their own words.

Click the book to read the first chapter and for ordering information. Also available on Kindle.


Sports Medley: NFL Alert Connor Shaw 28 Dec 14

by Tony Medley

it’s 8 AM on Sunday morning and I just learned that Connor Shaw is going to start at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns today. Shaw is an undrafted quarterback from the University of South Carolina who was signed in preseason by the Browns. Because of Johnny Manziel and Brian Hoyer, he did not get much playing time. However he did come in near the end of one preseason game and drove the Browns downfield to a touchdown, the only touchdown they scored in the game. One drive does not a career make, but I saw the game and was deeply impressed by Shaw and mourned for him that he did not get much of a chance. From what I saw, he was clearly a better quarterback than either Manziel or Hoyer. He was an accurate passer with a strong arm and a capable runner. After the season started, I heard nothing further about Shaw and assumed that he had been cut by the Browns. I’m pleased that they kept him on their practice squad and that he is going to finally get his chance.

At South Carolina he was a three-year starter and led the team to a 27 – 5 three year record. In his senior year he threw 24 TD passes with only one interception. This guy is the real deal.

Remember that Tom Brady was a sixth round draft choice who came in when the Patriots’ starting quarterback, Drew Bledsoe, was injured and he became one of the greats of the game. Johnny Unitas was cut by the Steelers and signed with the Colts in 1956 as a backup to George Shaw, who had led the nation in Total Offense as a senior at Oregon in 1955. I remember watching the Rams’ play in Baltimore in 1956 and Unitas started because Shaw had broken his leg. After the game I thought, “How could Shaw be as good as this guy?” He wasn’t.

I’m not going to be surprised if Connor Shaw shows the same kind of talent. He has a huge disadvantage, however, because he has been playing on the practice squad all year and has not had a chance to work with the regular players with whom he will be playing today. As a result, timing might be a problem.

This is obviously a longshot, but I’m betting that Connor Shaw will solve the Browns’ quarterback problem and will relegate Hoyer and Manziel to trivia questions.

 

top