Jim Johnson won more than 400 games as a high high school basketball coach. He only had one losing record in his 30 years of being a head coach. However, he is probably best known for what he did in 2006. His kindhearted gesture of giving an autistic student (now known affectionately as “J-Mac”) on his team the chance to make his dream come true has captivated the hearts of millions of Americans. How could it not? With the help of his teammates, J-Mac scored twenty points (including six three-point baskets) in just over four minutes, becoming an instant national celebrity.
Coach Johnson has been featured in major news outlets around the country, making a number of radio and television appearances, including the Oprah Winfrey and Jim Rome shows. He has met President George W. Bush, Governor George Pataki, and Senator Hillary Clinton, to name just a few luminaries. His team was paid a visit at school by NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and J-Mac’s magical moment won the ESPY for “Best Sports Moment” at the ESPN awards show later that year.
You can find out more about Coach Jim Johnson and his book “A Coach and a Miracle” by visiting www.CoachJimJohnson.com
- The inspirational story of J-Mac
- Getting fired after his first year of coaching
- Building a culture & turning programs around
- … and so much more!!!
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Resources, Books, and Links
Website: CoachJimJohnson.com
Twitter: @CoachJimJohnson
Facebook: CoachJimJohnson
LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/CoachJimJohnson
Favorite Books from Coach Jim Johnson . . .
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen Covey
- The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Winning by Bill Walsh
- The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
- Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
- A Coach’s Life: 40 Years in College Basketball by Dean Smith
- The Winner’s Manual: For the Game of Life by Jim Tressell
- Sales Differentiation: 19 Powerful Strategies to Win More Deals at the Prices You Want by Lee Salz
- Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
- The Talent Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups by Daniel Coyle
- Think Like A Champion by Dick Devenzio
- Season of Life: A Football Star, a Boy, a Journey to Manhood by Jeffery Marx
- Stuff Good Players Should Know by Dick Devenzio
- A Coach and a Miracle: Life Lessons from a Man who Believed in an Autistic Boy by Jim Johnson
Past “Success is a Choice” podcast episodes of interest . . .
- Swen Nater (former NBA and UCLA basketball player) – Episode 128
- Don Yaeger (NY Times Best Selling Author) – Episode 118
- Chris Oliver (Basketballimersion.com) – Episode 104
- Jon Gordon (Author of “The Energy Bus”) – Episode 100
- Jerod Ward (Former Professional Basketball Player) – Episode 092
- Joe Ferraro (One Percent Better Podcast host) – Episode 078
- Emily Chapman Richards (Executive Director of Show Hope) – Episode 075
- Dwane Casey (2018 NBA Coach of the Year) – Episode 001
Coach Jim Johnson in Action
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