My First Name is
'COACH'
Larry Holley is the 10th winningest coach in four-year college basketball history. Yet he was far more than just a basketball coach. He was a friend to everyone he came in contact with, and used basketball to change the world for the better. He grew up in the tiny town of Jameson, Missouri, and he never forgot his roots. Even after becoming a successful student-athlete at William Jewell College and then embarking on his 50-year coaching career, Holley was still the same guy—rooted, supportive and friendly to competitor and colleague alike. His story is about so much more than his 918 wins. It’s about treating people with respect and making them feel like they were important to him—because they were. You will be encouraged to live your life in a more meaningful way after reading the subtle, but transformative, story of what made Larry Holley the man he was. Written before his sudden and surprising death, this story is in his words.
Foreword by Homer Drew
About the Author
Larry Holley
Larry Holley became the 10th-winningest college basketball coach of any level over the course of his 40-year coaching career, including 40 at his alma mater, William Jewell College. He joined William Jewell as the head men’s basketball coach for the 1979-80 season after coaching one year at Harrisburg Missouri High School, six years at Central Methodist University and four years at Northwest Missouri State University. Off the court, he earned a reputation for his integrity, sportsmanship and humility as he worked to instill positive character traits in his athletes. The most impactful lessons Coach Holley taught those around him included the lessons of being humble and treating people the way you’d like to be treated.
About the Author
Larry Holley
Larry Holley became the ninth-winningest college basketball coach of any level over the course of his 40-year coaching career at William Jewell College. He joined William Jewell as the head men’s basketball coach for the 1979-80 season after coaching four years at Northwest Missouri State University, six years at Central Methodist University and one year at Harrisburg Missouri High School. Off the court, he earned a reputation for his integrity, sportsmanship and humility as he worked to instill positive character traits in his athletes. The most impactful lessons Coach Holley taught those around him included the lessons of being humble and treating people the way you’d like to be treated.
