Cori Close still makes it a point to see him before every home game.
As she strolls down the hallway within Pauley Pavilion, Wooden’s Pyramid of Success in one hand and the championship banners in the other, she engages in a conversation with her mentor.
“I tell him, ‘Dad, I want to make you proud,'” Close, who coaches the UCLA women’s basketball team, shared, her emotions evident. “‘Can I teach and coach in a way that mirrors the incredible example you’ve set for me? If I can be half of that today, I’ll consider it a good day.'”
Things have been looking good for her lately.
What else could it be? Close and her team embody the principles of perhaps the most iconic coach the sport has seen, prioritizing process over outcomes and character over assessment.
It’s no surprise, really, given the remarkable achievements Wooden had, including his record-setting 10 NCAA Championships.
With a 31-1 record, UCLA is riding the wave of a 25-game winning streak, having recently defeated Iowa by 51 points to secure the Big Ten Tournament title. They stand as the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, on track to clinch the championship.
Close, recognized as UCLA’s most successful women’s coach, mused over what Wooden might think about the constant chatter that this is the year for a superteam that could potentially see six players taken in the first round of the WNBA draft.
“He would likely say it’s really beyond anyone’s control,” Close noted. “Focusing on that can distract from what you need to do to perform your best when the time comes.”
Cori Close and John Wooden: More than just basketball conversations
By that time, Close had been absorbing stories about John Wooden for years. She vividly recalls her dad and high school coach discussing him during the ’80s, but it didn’t really resonate back then.
As she prepared to face UCLA while playing point guard at the University of California, Santa Barbara, her coach presented a history lesson not just about UCLA’s women but about Wooden as well. The emphasis was on the challenges of playing in a historic venue like Pauley Pavilion.
After the Gauchos triumphed over the Bruins in December 1991, Close reminisces about her teammate Erica Kienast, who called her father to celebrate their victory in the car.
“We went to Coach Wooden’s house, and we won, Dad, we won!” Kienast shouted. It was at that moment that Close realized the weight of Wooden’s legacy.
Two years later, while serving as an assistant coach for the UCLA women’s team, Close was included in a group of coaches invited to Wooden’s humble Encino home. Curiously, she was the only woman there.
Sensing the difference, Wooden asked for her name.
Feeling worn out, she mispronounced her own first name and even had to spell it out. Wooden then invited her into his study and showed her a chair bearing the name of his great-grandson.
This encounter marked the beginning of a 17-year friendship that spanned discussions about various topics, from personality and faith to the occasional basketball chat.
“It was about his love for his players and his philosophy,” Close reflected. “But also about his passion for poetry and history. He always shared lessons and stories that were truly valuable.”
During her two seasons as an assistant, she visited him every other Tuesday and continued to visit at least once a month for nine more years.
When Close moved to Florida State as an associate head coach, her trips back to Los Angeles were planned around her visits with Wooden. She would fly into LAX and head straight to his condo.
Often, she brought him his preferred Baskin-Robbins flavor, teasing him about opting for lemon custard or strawberry without having something substantial first.
Close’s last conversation with Wooden, which happened over the phone, took place ten months before she became UCLA’s head coach. Angel Gray, an ESPN announcer who was then a communication student, conducted a project on Wooden. Close suggested she call him, leading to an enlightening 20-minute dialogue.
“Seeing her reaction was so heartwarming, and I was sharing how she wanted to develop as an announcer. He was incredibly supportive and kind to her,” Close recalled.
Cori Close honors the tradition of Wooden
She must have heard that same story countless times.
Before each season, Wooden taught players the right way to wear socks and shoes to prevent blisters.
Close invited former Bruins star Rafer Johnson to demonstrate this for her team, thinking it was a nod to Wood.
Johnson connected with the players, expressing his own anxiety about joining UCLA, emphasizing that regardless of skills or backgrounds, they all shared a common bond.
“I thought, wow, what was I focusing on?” Close admitted. “It’s not just about blisters or shoes. It’s really about teamwork, unity, and appreciating one another.”
Wooden’s influence is evident in Close, who makes it a habit to thank the media for supporting women’s basketball at nearly every press conference. Her phrases—like “We’re better than me” and “Focus on growth, not results”—echo the mindset of a coach who appreciated the women’s game for its focus on fundamentals.
“I think there’s a resemblance,” said Kathleen Trapani, Wooden’s granddaughter. “Cori embodies the same respectful demeanor with her players, leading to mutual respect.”
In practice, she shows gratitude by wearing jerseys and gear from the NIL Store, balancing support with accountability. If players show signs of selfishness, she swiftly lets them know they need to step back for a bit.
So far this season, she hasn’t had to enforce that.
“We consistently tell them,” Close had said about her coaching philosophy, “the only two things you leave with after these four years are who you become and the impact you have on others.”
Similar to Wooden’s legacy, Close’s impact goes beyond mere achievements.
“As a player, I truly feel valued and supported, and I’m thankful for how she approaches me,” said Bruins guard Gabriela Jaquez.
Wooden’s legacy still influences UCLA coaches
Many of Wooden’s teachings are helping Close navigate challenges she never expected.
The college basketball landscape has shifted dramatically, with her responsibilities now including dealing with agents, fundraising, and retaining players, alongside traditional coaching duties.
“Balancing everything has been tough,” admitted Close, who will turn 55 in July. “I grapple each year with the need to compete for titles while also pursuing a fulfilling life—something I haven’t had in the last couple of years.”
Guidance from her mentor has offered her nourishment. Wooden often said love and balance are the two most crucial words.
“I think love is still there, but achieving balance is a work in progress,” Close remarked.
Wooden also highlighted how worrying over uncontrollable aspects detracts from focusing on what you can influence. Maybe that explains why a coach with more championships than anyone doesn’t primarily emphasize winning.
Close has become part of the Wooden family, being invited to memorial events and speaking at panels during celebrations of her coach’s birthday. She keeps a Bruins-themed pillow made by Wooden’s great-grandson in her office and is hopeful that Josh Wooden might intern with her team soon.
“For me, this time with the Wood family is about cherishing connections,” Close expressed.
The best way to honor her mentor? Practicing the principles he instilled in her, which are evident in her training sessions that emphasize player growth and selfless teamwork.
“I want them to recognize what a genuine win looks like—that’s what truly counts,” Close conveyed. “In turn, they will really excel with that mindset.”
It’s a message that feels familiar, doesn’t it?
