Chapters 8 & 9 Summary and Analysis

Coach Wooden admits that it is possible for coaches to sometimes be subconsciously influenced regarding their players. He tells the story of Eddie, a young man who played on his South Bend baseball and basketball teams. Eddie never looked good on the court, so Coach rarely played him. He was a great baseball player, however. Eddie tells Coach Wooden he's thinking about quitting basketball since he never plays. He tells the coach he knows he could do well if just given the chance, so, without thinking, Coach Wooden promises to start him in the game scheduled for the very next night.

Coach Wooden regrets his words and figures he'll pull the boy out of the game quickly. However, Eddie proves the coach wrong. Eddie never sat on the bench again — except for a short rest, Wooden says.

In chapter nine...