943: Three Legendary Coaches
In this episode, I learned things about legends…
Friends, friends, friends.
Welcome back to Teatime Reading where there are books in progress.
My narration journey continues in 2025, so before we get to the review,
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Back in March, I had read through all of the kids novels that the legendary late sportswriter John Feinstein had written featuring the kid reporters Stevie Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson. At the time, I mentioned that it was fascinating how I’d never read his nonfiction for adults.
When the hold for The Legends Club came available, I knew that I had to check it out. As a basketball lover, I was curious to see how Feinstein would cover some of the iconic coaches of the ACC: Dean Smith, Mike Krzyzewski, and Jim Valvano.
The biggest thing about this book was how detailed the insider access was. The tension between the three Coaches at various times was incredible and I realized how little I knew. I didn’t know about the specifics of the three coaches’ trajectory. Coach K’s early struggles at Duke was not something I had heard of and I admit that my Dean Smith knowledge was mostly limited to the Michael Jordan Era and the other great players who had played for him.
The magic of this book is the loving detail that Feinstein devotes to each one of the three coaches. He captures the rivalry, the respect, and yes, the hearts of each coach. Because only one of the three is alive, it made for a more poignant and bittersweet book, but it felt so comprehensive. How he started covering UNC and Coach Smith, the dynamics of the ACC in those years, and the evolution of the college game and the way in which Coach K was the last survivor of the three.
Learning about Jordan’s dad in the back hallway after the National Championship game was the cherry on top: a story I’d never heard before.
Many of the reviews I’ve seen after finishing the book have called it Feinstein’s greatest book. I can’t verify that, since I came to this book from his children’s books (and I am biased). However, I do think that the Legends Club was an impeccable book. It is absolutely worth it.
Until next time, keep your bookmarks close.
Peace, Love, Pages.
Note: As Always, Affiliate Links are here for your convenience at no cost to you. All reading was at my own expense.