Photos: John Wooden through the years
Jim Nielsen, a reserve on the UCLA powerhouse teams of 1967 and ‘68, found inspiration in the example of Coach Wooden and later became principal of Channel Islands High School in Oxnard. This photo was taken in the 1970s.
See full story (Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)
Tribune Interactive
John and Nell Wooden are greeted at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in 1973 by one of the coach’s former UCLA players, Mike Connors, who at the time starred in the TV detective series “Mannix.”
See full story (Boris Yaro / Los Angeles Times)
The retired coach catches the action in December 1994 during the inaugural John R. Wooden Classic, a college basketball doubleheader played at the Anaheim arena then known as the Pond.
See full story (Al Bello / Allsport)
Wooden, a longtime resident of the San Fernando Valley, was honored at a ‘Valley of the Stars’ gala at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank in 1998.
See full story (Frank Wiese / Los Angeles Times)
Long after he retired, Wooden continued to offer his services to the UCLA basketball program. Here he confers with guard Earl Watson after the Bruins defeated Oklahoma State in the Wooden Classic in 1998.
See full story (Alexander Gallardo / Los Angeles Times)
In an interview with The Times, Wooden recalled: ‘My father would always tell me: ‘Don’t look back, don’t whine, don’t complain.’ ”
See full story (George Wilhelm / Los Angeles Times)
Students in Pauley Pavilion -- most of whom were not even born when Wooden coached his last game -- show their appreciation for the coach on the day the basketball floor was dedicated as Nell and John Wooden Court.
See full story (George Wilhelm / Los Angeles Times)
Among Wooden’s maxims: “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail”; “Flexibility is the key to stability”; “Be quick, but don’t hurry.”
See full story (Don Kelsen / Los Angeles Times)
John Wooden holds court at a ceremony to rename Aliso High School in Reseda as John R. Wooden High School. Wooden is sitting in front of a mural that outlines his Pyramid of Success motivational program.
See full story (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
Wooden, two days before turning 95, prepares to blow out the candles on his birthday cake at Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center.
See full story (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Wooden takes questions from Special Olympics Southern California athletes at the Honda Center in Anaheim.
See full story (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)
The retired coach wins a round of applause from UCLA players after their 65-62 win over Texas A&M in the Wooden Classic in 2006.
See full story (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)
Wooden, at his Encino home, reads from an assembled book of poems sent to him by one of his former players, Swen Nater.
See full story (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Wooden with a group of Special Olympics athletes in 2006.
See full story (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)
Wooden waves to the crowd during the ceremony honoring the Bruins’ 1964 championship at Pauley Pavilion.
See full story (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)
Wooden congratulates Russell Westbrook after the Bruins defeated Davidson in the John Wooden Classic at the Honda Center in Anaheim. “We get behind, but we don’t give up,” he told the crowd. “I’m very proud of them.”
See full story (Harry How / Getty Images)
Wooden and Dodgers broadcaster
See full story (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)
John Wooden waves from the stands as he is introduced at ceremonies honoring the 1970 UCLA championship team.
See full story (Reed Saxon / Associated Press)
