John Wooden's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of John Wooden.

John Wooden, nicknamed "the Wizard of Westwood," was a highly successful American basketball coach and player, most notably known for his tenure as head coach for the UCLA Bruins. He led UCLA to win ten NCAA national championships over a 12-year period, including a record seven consecutive titles. Wooden's teams also achieved a record 88-game winning streak. He received the Henry Iba Award as national coach of the year a record seven times and won the Associated Press award five times, solidifying his legacy as one of basketball's greatest coaches.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1927: State Tournament Title

In 1927, John Wooden led his high school team to a state tournament title.

1930: All-Big Ten and All-Midwestern Honors

From 1930 to 1932, John Wooden was named All-Big Ten and All-Midwestern while at Purdue.

1932: Graduation from Purdue and Honors

In 1932, John Wooden graduated from Purdue with a degree in English, was named All-Big Ten and All-Midwestern, was a three-time consensus All-American, and was awarded the Big Ten Medal of Honor.

1932: All-American and National Champion

In 1932, John Wooden was named an All-American for the third time, and his Purdue team was retroactively recognized as the pre-NCAA tournament national champion.

1937: All-NBL First Team Selection

For the 1937–38 season, John Wooden was named to the All-NBL First Team.

1948: NAIB National Tournament Appearance

In 1948, John Wooden again led Indiana State to the conference title. He coached his team to the NAIB National Tournament final, losing to Louisville, after the NAIB reversed its policy banning black players. Clarence Walker became the first black player to play in any post-season intercollegiate basketball tournament.

1950: Conference Title at UCLA

In 1950, John Wooden's team won their second division title and overall conference title with a 24-7 record.

1955: Undefeated PCC Conference Title

By the 1955-56 season, John Wooden guided UCLA to its first undefeated PCC conference title.

1960: Enshrinement in the Basketball Hall of Fame

In 1960, John Wooden was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame for his achievements as a player.

1960: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Induction as Player

In 1960, John Wooden was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player.

1961: Return to the Top of the Conference

By the 1961-1962 season, John Wooden returned his team to the top of the conference after the probation was lifted.

1964: USBWA and NABC Coach of the Year

In 1964, John Wooden received both the USBWA Coach of the Year award and the NABC Coach of the Year award, marking the beginning of numerous coaching accolades throughout his career.

1964: First NCAA National Championship

In 1964, UCLA won its first basketball national championship and had its first undefeated season, beating Duke 98-83 in the final with a score of 98-83.

1965: Repeat as National Champions

In 1965, UCLA repeated as national champions, defeating Michigan 91-80 in the finals of the NCAA tournament.

1967: Wooden's Teams Win Seven Consecutive NCAA Titles

From 1967 to 1973, John Wooden's UCLA teams won seven consecutive NCAA titles.

1967: Coaching Awards in 1967

In 1967, John Wooden was recognized as coach of the year by USBWA, UPI, AP, and NABC.

1967: Reclaiming Conference and National Titles

In 1967, UCLA reclaimed not only the conference title but also the national crown, achieving another 30-0 season.

1968: UCLA Defeated by Houston in the Game of the Century

In January 1968, UCLA's 47-game winning streak ended with a 71-69 loss to Houston in the Game of the Century. Despite the defeat, UCLA went on to win the NCAA tournament, defeating Houston in a rematch. Edgar Lacy quit the team because he was benched.

1969: Coach of the Year Honors in 1969

In 1969, John Wooden was awarded Coach of the Year by USBWA, UPI, AP, NABC, and The Sporting News.

1969: Alcindor Wins Third Consecutive National Championship

In 1969, Lew Alcindor finished his career at UCLA, securing his third consecutive national championship with a 92-72 victory over Purdue. He also earned his third consecutive MVP award in the tournament.

1970: Andy Hill on NCAA championship Bruin teams

From 1970 to 1972, Andy Hill was on three Bruin teams under Coach Wooden that won NCAA championships.

1970: Sportsman of the Year

In 1970, John Wooden was named The Sporting News Sportsman of the Year and was awarded Coach of the Year by UPI, AP, and NABC.

1970: UCLA Wins Fourth Consecutive NCAA Title

In 1970, UCLA, led by Sidney Wicks, Henry Bibby, Curtis Rowe, John Vallely, and Kenny Booker, won their fourth consecutive NCAA title, defeating Jacksonville 80-69. Wicks and Rowe shut down Jacksonville's offense.

1971: UCLA Wins NCAA Championship

In 1971, UCLA won the NCAA championship, with Steve Patterson outscoring Howard Porter of Villanova. The final score was 68-62.

1972: Andy Hill on NCAA championship Bruin teams

From 1970 to 1972, Andy Hill was on three Bruin teams under Coach Wooden that won NCAA championships.

1972: Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year

In 1972, John Wooden shared Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportsman of the Year" award with Billie Jean King. Wooden was also awarded Coach of the Year by USBWA, UPI, AP, and NABC.

1972: UCLA Wins NCAA Championship

In 1972, UCLA secured a close victory against Florida State, winning 81-76 to claim the NCAA title.

1973: Wooden's Teams Win Seven Consecutive NCAA Titles

From 1967 to 1973, John Wooden's UCLA teams won seven consecutive NCAA titles.

1973: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Induction as Coach

In 1973, John Wooden was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach, becoming the first person to be inducted as both a player and a coach.

1973: Coach of the Year Awards

In 1973, John Wooden was recognized as coach of the year by USBWA, UPI, AP, and The Sporting News.

1973: UCLA Wins NCAA Championship

In 1973, UCLA went 30-0 and won the NCAA tournament, defeating Memphis State 87-66 in the final. Bill Walton made 21 of 22 field goal attempts. Walton and Wooden were named Player and Coach of the Year.

1975: Retirement After NCAA Championship

Immediately following the 1975 NCAA championship, John Wooden retired.

1975: Wooden's Salary and Retirement Gift

In 1975, the year he won his 10th national championship, John Wooden's salary was no more than $35,000 a year. He was given a Bruin powder blue Mercedes as a retirement gift that season.

1975: Wooden's 1975 National Championship Team

In 2003, Andre McCarter, who was on Wooden's 1975 National Championship team, began a three-year campaign for John Wooden to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

1976: Golden Plate Award

In 1976, John Wooden received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement, recognizing his contributions to sports and society.

1977: Dunk Shot Reinstated

In the 1976-1977 season, shortly after Wooden's retirement, the dunk shot was reinstated. It had been outlawed in 1967 due to Alcindor's dominance.

1977: Creation of the John R. Wooden Award

Since 1977, the John R. Wooden Award has been the most coveted college basketball player-of-the-year award, considered the equivalent of football's Heisman Trophy, presented at the Los Angeles Athletic Club.

February 3, 1984: Induction into Indiana State University Athletic Hall of Fame

On February 3, 1984, John Wooden was inducted into the Indiana State University Athletic Hall of Fame, honoring his contributions as a player and coach at the university.

1985: National Invitation Tournament Win

In 1985, Walt Hazzard's team won the National Invitation Tournament.

1986: Outstanding Alumnus Award

In 1986, John Wooden was honored as an Outstanding Alumnus of the School of Liberal Arts at Purdue University, the first year the award was given.

1993: NBA Record

In 1993, Micheal Williams made 97 consecutive free throws, setting the NBA record. At the time, John Wooden already had a professional record of 134 consecutive free throws.

1995: UCLA wins national championship

In 1995, 20 years after John Wooden's retirement, UCLA won another national championship under coach Jim Harrick, with Ed O'Bannon as the star player, defeating Arkansas 89–78.

1998: Coach Wooden "Keys to Life" Award Created

In 1998, the Coach Wooden "Keys to Life" Award was created to be given to a former player or coach who exemplifies character, leadership and faith. This Award is presented at the Legends of the Hardwood Breakfast.

2000: Lombardi Award of Excellence

In 2000, John Wooden received the "Lombardi Award of Excellence" from the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation, recognizing his embodiment of Coach Lombardi's spirit.

July 23, 2003: Presidential Medal of Freedom

On July 23, 2003, John Wooden was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, presented by President George W. Bush.

2003: Dedication of Nell & John Wooden Court at UCLA

In 2003, UCLA dedicated the basketball court in Pauley Pavilion in honor of John and Nell Wooden, naming it the "Nell & John Wooden Court."

May 17, 2004: Ambassador Award of Excellence

On May 17, 2004, John Wooden was awarded the Ambassador Award of Excellence by the LA Sports & Entertainment Commission at the Riviera Country Club, recognizing his role in promoting sports and entertainment in Los Angeles.

2005: High School Renamed in Wooden's Honor

In 2005, a high school in the Los Angeles Unified School District was renamed to John R. Wooden High School to honor his legacy.

November 17, 2006: National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame

On November 17, 2006, John Wooden was recognized as a member of the founding class of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame for his impact on college basketball.

2006: Coach John Wooden Post Office

In 2006, on John Wooden's 96th birthday, a post office in Reseda, California was renamed the Coach John Wooden Post Office.

November 8, 2008: Indiana State Names Court

On November 8, 2008, Indiana State officially named the floor at the Hulman Center The Nellie and John Wooden Court in honor of the legendary coach and his late wife, Nellie. The ceremony included taped comments from Coach Wooden and the participation of members of his 1946–47 and 1947–48 teams.

2009: Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame Induction

In 2009, John Wooden was inducted into the Missouri Valley Conference Athletics Hall of Fame in St. Louis, recognized for his lifetime achievements in basketball. He was the ninth honouree in the Missouri Valley Conference's Lifetime Achievement category.

2009: Greatest Coach of All Time

In 2009, John Wooden was named The Sporting News "Greatest Coach of All Time", recognizing his unparalleled success and impact on college basketball.

2009: John Wooden Ethics in Leadership Award Established

In 2009, the Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership at California State University, Long Beach established the John Wooden Ethics in Leadership Award, with Wooden being the inaugural recipient.

July 2010: Street Named After Wooden at Purdue

In July 2010, John Wooden's alma mater, Purdue University, named a street on campus after him to honor his legacy and contributions.

October 14, 2010: John Wooden Day Celebration at UCLA

On October 14, 2010, UCLA held a "John Wooden Day Celebration" to honor Wooden's 100th birthday and his contributions to the university.

October 26, 2012: Bronze Statue Dedication

On October 26, 2012, a bronze statue of John Wooden by sculptor Blair Buswell was dedicated at the newly renovated Pauley Pavilion, honoring his legacy at UCLA.

2012: Exhibition of Wooden's Legacy

In 2012, Wooden's Legacy, a public artwork statue by Jeffrey Rouse, was exhibited in Indianapolis, Indiana, commemorating his contributions to basketball and leadership.

February 2024: First Class Forever Postage Stamp

In February 2024, the United States Postal Service honored John Wooden with a first class forever postage stamp, unveiled at UCLA with former students such as Kareem Abdul-Jabar and Jamaal Wilkes reminiscing on Wooden's accomplishments.