UCLA has a long and illustrious history of outstanding basketball coaches, each of whom has left an indelible mark on the program. From John Wooden to Jim Harrick, and from Larry Brown to Steve Alford, the Bruins have had some of the greatest coaches in the history of the game. In this article, we will take a look at some of the most legendary UCLA basketball coaches of all time.
John Wooden
John Wooden was one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time, and his legacy at UCLA is unparalleled. He led the Bruins to 10 NCAA championships in 12 years, including an unprecedented seven in a row from 1967 to 1973. He also won four National Coach of the Year awards and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1973. Wooden is widely considered to be the greatest college basketball coach of all time, and his impact on the UCLA program is still felt today.
Wooden was known for his emphasis on fundamentals and his intense attention to detail. He was a master motivator and a firm believer in the importance of team work. He also created the famous Pyramid of Success, which is still used by coaches today. Wooden’s legacy is one of excellence, and he is still revered by UCLA fans to this day.

Jim Harrick
Jim Harrick was the head coach of the UCLA Bruins from 1988 to 1996. During his tenure, he led the Bruins to four NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Final Four in 1995. He was also named Pac-10 Coach of the Year in 1993 and 1994, and was inducted into the Pac-10 Hall of Fame in 2009.
Harrick was known for his intense focus on defense and his ability to get the most out of his players. He was also a master strategist and was able to adjust his game plans to take advantage of his opponents’ weaknesses. He was a great motivator and was able to get the best out of his players. Harrick’s impact on the UCLA program is still felt today, and he is remembered fondly by Bruins fans.
Larry Brown
Larry Brown was the head coach of the UCLA Bruins from 1979 to 1981. During his tenure, he led the Bruins to two NCAA tournament appearances and a Final Four appearance in 1980. He was also named Pac-10 Coach of the Year in 1980 and 1981, and was inducted into the Pac-10 Hall of Fame in 2008.
Brown was known for his emphasis on fundamentals and his ability to get the most out of his players. He was a master motivator and was able to get the best out of his players. He was also a great strategist and was able to adjust his game plans to take advantage of his opponents’ weaknesses. Brown’s impact on the UCLA program is still felt today, and he is remembered fondly by Bruins fans.

Gary Cunningham
Gary Cunningham was the head coach of the UCLA Bruins from 1977 to 1979. During his tenure, he led the Bruins to two NCAA tournament appearances and a Final Four appearance in 1978. He was also named Pac-10 Coach of the Year in 1977 and 1978, and was inducted into the Pac-10 Hall of Fame in 2009.
Cunningham was known for his emphasis on fundamentals and his ability to get the most out of his players. He was a master motivator and was able to get the best out of his players. He was also a great strategist and was able to adjust his game plans to take advantage of his opponents’ weaknesses. Cunningham’s impact on the UCLA program is still felt today, and he is remembered fondly by Bruins fans.
Walt Hazzard
Walt Hazzard was the head coach of the UCLA Bruins from 1984 to 1988. During his tenure, he led the Bruins to three NCAA tournament appearances and a Final Four appearance in 1985. He was also named Pac-10 Coach of the Year in 1986, and was inducted into the Pac-10 Hall of Fame in 2009.
Hazzard was known for his emphasis on fundamentals and his ability to get the most out of his players. He was a master motivator and was able to get the best out of his players. He was also a great strategist and was able to adjust his game plans to take advantage of his opponents’ weaknesses. Hazzard’s impact on the UCLA program is still felt today, and he is remembered fondly by Bruins fans.
Larry Farmer
Larry Farmer was the head coach of the UCLA Bruins from 1982 to 1984. During his tenure, he led the Bruins to two NCAA tournament appearances and a Final Four appearance in 1983. He was also named Pac-10 Coach of the Year in 1983, and was inducted into the Pac-10 Hall of Fame in 2009.
Farmer was known for his emphasis on fundamentals and his ability to get the most out of his players. He was a master motivator and was able to get the best out of his players. He was also a great strategist and was able to adjust his game plans to take advantage of his opponents’ weaknesses. Farmer’s impact on the UCLA program is still felt today, and he is remembered fondly by Bruins fans.
Steve Alford
Steve Alford was the head coach of the UCLA Bruins from 2013 to 2018. During his tenure, he led the Bruins to four NCAA tournament appearances and two Sweet Sixteen appearances. He was also named Pac-12 Coach of the Year in 2014, and was inducted into the Pac-12 Hall of Fame in 2019.
Alford was known for his emphasis on fundamentals and his ability to get the most out of his players. He was a master motivator and was able to get the best out of his players. He was also a great strategist and was able to adjust his game plans to take advantage of his opponents’ weaknesses. Alford’s impact on the UCLA program is still felt today, and he is remembered fondly by Bruins fans.
Ben Howland
Ben Howland was the head coach of the UCLA Bruins from 2003 to 2013. During his tenure, he led the Bruins to three Final Four appearances and a Pac-10 regular season title in 2006. He was also named Pac-10 Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2007, and was inducted into the Pac-10 Hall of Fame in 2014.
Howland was known for his emphasis on fundamentals and his ability to get the most out of his players. He was a master motivator and was able to get the best out of his players. He was also a great strategist and was able to adjust his game plans to take advantage of his opponents’ weaknesses. Howland’s impact on the UCLA program is still felt today, and he is remembered fondly by Bruins fans.
Conclusion
UCLA has had some of the greatest basketball coaches in the history of the game, and each has left an indelible mark on the program. From John Wooden to Steve Alford, the Bruins have had some of the most legendary coaches in the game. Each of these coaches had their own unique style and approach, and each left a lasting impact on the UCLA program. The legacy of these coaches is still felt today, and they are remembered fondly by Bruins fans.