Monty: Better than John Wooden in every conceivable way

1. 665>664

That's just simple math, people! Monty has more wins than John Wooden. By the time Monty decides to hang it up, he could have 100 more wins than Wooden. They don't let you graduate from a UC without understanding math, right?

2. Tougher programs

Wooden spent most of his career at UCLA. Is there an easier program to win at than UCLA?! Even Steve Lavin managed 153 wins and four Sweet 16 appearances in Westwood, because of the incredible natural advantages a coach has when he can recruit to UCLA. John Wooden probably just pulled into UCLA, accepted a receipt with 20 free wins/season, and hit cruise control. Easy, easy, easy.

Monty, obviously, got all of his wins at Montana, Stanford and Cal, institutions with little in terms of reputation and draw. Do you think Monty would have been able to convince Lew Alcindor to come to Palo Alto, or Bill Walton to come to Berkeley? OK, maybe he could have pulled off that last one.

3. Better tournament record

Did you know that over a nine year span, John Wooden only made the NCAA tournament ONCE? And in that same span of time, UCLA didn't even quality for the NIT! Frankly, I'm surprised UCLA fans put up with such a mediocre record. Luck for them they currently have a beloved athletic director that would never stand for such mediocrity. Thankfully, fans have never had to deal with such a drought from Monty, who has never gone longer than two years without making the tournament when coaching at Stanford or Cal.

4. No ‘off-the-court' assistance

As much as I dutifully hate Stanford, I'll give them credit for one thing: They run a clean program, and Monty wouldn't have it any other way. UCLA, on the other hand, benefited from the patronage of ‘Papa' Sam Gilbert, as detailed by the L.A. Times. I have trouble deciding how many of UCLA's wins from that period are tainted. 100%? Just 80%? Somewhere around there, I think.

5. No 31 win seasons

Wooden did have some pretty good years, I'll admit it. Still, even Wooden's best seasons can't measure up to Monty's best. In 2000-01, Monty won 31 games at Stanford (again, for emphasis: Stanford!) I repeat: simple math, people! Try as he might, Wooden was never able to surmount that barrier, failing four times after reaching 30 wins.

6. Didn't have to compete with Arizona

The Wildcats have been the standard for Pac-10/12 excellence for most of their time in the conference. But John Wooden retired three years before Arizona entered the conference. It's as if he knew what was coming and wanted to leave on top! Monty's accomplishments have all come despite having to deal with Arizona (and, I suppose, UCLA) every year, making what he's done all the more impressive.

7. Wooden never coached in the NBA

If Wooden was really such an amazing head coach, he would have received a call from the game's highest levels. There's nothing more prestigious than leading the Golden State Warriors!

8. Fewer bossy quotes

You can't talk about John Wooden without somebody mentioning a quote. "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts." "Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." LET ME BE ME, JOHN WOODEN!

OK, maybe this one doesn't really have anything to do with basketball coaching.

9. Never coached a Pac-10 OR Pac-12 player of the year.

Jerome Randle, Jorge Gutierrez and Allen Crabbe. Ring a bell, anybody? All three were developed by Monty. Wooden never had a single player win the titles listed above. If a coach is only as good as his players, why didn't one of Wooden's players achieve the highest individual honor the conference has to offer?!

10. Never won a Pac-10 title

Boom. It's all about team success. I rest my case. ALL HAIL MONTY!