Coach

Distinguished college basketball coach Ray Meyer tells the story of his life--and of the players, teams, and events that surrounded his forty-two season career

In this review of his 42 years as basketball coach of Chicago's DePaul University, Meyer underlines the point that good players make good coaches. His most successful years were at the beginning of his career, when he coached George Mikan, the best cager of his time, and toward the end, when the team boasted Mark Aguirre, a superstar even as a collegian. As to the years between, Meyer and Chicago Sun-Times sports columnist Sons trace a roller-coaster ride, but with more victories than defeats, since Meyer ended with over 700 wins. The most interesting material is presented in the first chapters, when Meyer describes trying to establish a team during the Depression and his problems in coaching a sport that had poor facilities and little support from the DePaul administration. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This autobiography of DePaul University's legendary basketball coach is mildly entertaining, due to lively anecdotes on players, etc., and refreshing candor. Meyer's message, after 42 successful years of coaching, is that winning isn't everything. This is a tale of how he met the challenge of building a big-time competitive program at a small school. He documents changes such as the center jump, the one-hand shot, the influx of black players, and his own transformation as coach from tyrant to father-figure. However, the season-by-season arrangement is tedious, and coaches and players won't find much advice on strategies. Recommended for college libraries. Thomas J. Reigstad, SUNY Coll. at Buffalo
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.