Some of the most celebrated writers of our time share the inspiring words and timeless wisdom of the athletic coaches who helped shape their lives.

Coach is one of the most endearing words in the English language. From childhood on, everyone remembers the names of their mentors and coaches — and the powerful advice and encouragement they provided. In this unique collection of original and previously published essays, notable authors and writers David Maraniss, Jane Leavy, H.G. Bissinger, John Edgar Wideman, Charles McGrath, John Irving, Francine Prose, John McPhee, Pat Conroy, Christine Brennan, E.M. Swift, George Vecsey, Tour?, Andrew Solomon, Frank Deford, George Plimpton, and others reveal the experiences, both good and bad, they've had with the athletic coaches who changed and influenced their lives — and pass on the sage advice they received for future generations.

"These often entertaining reminiscences about the impact that athletic coaches can have on their players are a mixed bag. The very disparate nature of the essays sometimes creates a loss of overall focus, but the wide range of sports covered — baseball, football, basketball, track, tennis, golf and fencing — is a plus. Only four of the 25 pieces are written by women, but they offer interesting contrasts. Novelist Francine Prose describes the 1950s gym teacher from hell, while Christine Brennan fondly remembers her beloved 1970s high school coach who, before Title IX, battled against the lack of funds and equipment for girl's teams. Journalists George Vecsey and Frank Deford present historical recollections of, respectively, baseball's legendary Casey Stengel and Al McGuire, the high-profile basketball coach at Marquette University, but most of the other pieces touch on personal coaching experiences. Of particular interest is CNN correspondent Tour's evocation of a 1970s tennis club in Dorchester, Mass., started by Mister Smith, who dreamed of turning African-American ghetto kids into professional tennis players. While moving, Jane Leavy's description of being a dying coach for a friend with AIDS feels out of place in a collection that otherwise deals with sports." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"Perfect...refreshing...makes a true connection with the reader...Sweet and often funny vulnerability, revealing the part of the writer that is willing to be coached." USA Today

"Compelling....rich...an all-star squad of scribblers...You don't have to be an ex-jock with a trophy case to find someone you can relate to here." Los Angeles Times

"An often stellar anthology?a solid, entertaining collection recognizing great coaches, and a Beelzebub or two." Kirkus Reviews

"...Flat-out entertaining....Coach isn't short in nuggets of wisdom." The New York Daily News

"Instead of boondoggles and bromides, what we have here are essays about real sports and the characters who left lifelong marks in their attempts to make something of these writers." Katherine A. Powers, Boston Globe

Twenty-five celebrated writers share the inspiring words and timeless wisdom of the athletic coaches who changed and influenced their lives and pass on the sage advice they received.