Jim Harrick: From John Wooden's Student to UCLA National Champion - A Legacy of Teaching Through Basketball

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with legendary NCAA basketball coach James Harrick. From his early days learning from John Wooden to leading UCLA to the 1995 National Championship, Coach Harrick shares how divine guidance shaped his remarkable coaching journey.

Starting as a high school English teacher who studied Wooden's every move, Harrick developed his own positive coaching philosophy that emphasized being "practiced, planned, and prepared." His conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while at Utah State and friendship with John Wooden led to life-changing opportunities, including directing Wooden's basketball camps. Through stories about coaching Ed O'Bannon, working with Kiki Kiki VanDeWeghe, and learning from the master himself, Harrick reveals how focusing on developing character over statistics creates lasting impact beyond the game.

Now watching his step-granddaughter play for Utah and his grandson compete at Southern Virginia University, Coach Harrick continues sharing timeless wisdom about the power of preparation, positive reinforcement, and playing together.

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