4th & Goal

One Man's Quest to Recapture His Dream

By: Monte Burke

Narrated by: George Newbern

Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

In this "powerful and inspiring" true story, follow Joe Moglia's legendary career transition from head football coach at Coastal Carolina University to the CEO of TD Ameritrade, one of the country's most successful financial firms.

As a kid growing up in a rough-and-tumble neighborhood in New York City, Joe Moglia dreamed of someday becoming the head coach of a college football team - not of becoming a corporate titan.

But sometimes, life gets in the way of our dreams. By the time Joe was in his early 30s, he had risen through the high school and college football ranks to become the defensive coordinator at Dartmouth. His dream was very much within reach. Problem was, Joe wasn't making enough money to support his growing family. Faced with the hard choice between chasing his lifelong dream and supporting his wife and four young kids, Joe did the honorable thing: He walked away from football and went to Wall Street to try to find a job that would foot the bills at home.

Joe had no training in finance. He had no MBA. His resume reflected his coaching accomplishments and his teaching jobs. And yet, somehow, through grit and determination, he was able to land an entry-level position at Merrill Lynch.

Fast forward 25 years later. Joe had reached the business world's mountaintop. He was the CEO of TD Ameritrade, one of the country's most successful financial firms. He was recognized as one of the most respected corporate chiefs in America.

But over all those years, Joe never shook his passion for coaching football. In 2008, he made a fateful and stunning decision: He voluntarily walked away from his high-paying corporate job to do the one thing he'd left undone in his life. He decided to pursue his original passion for becoming a college football head coach.

Getting hired as a college coach proved incredibly difficult. College athletic directors told him it was an impossible feat. He'd been out of football for nearly three decades. Undaunted, and at age 60, Joe became an unpaid intern with the University of Nebraska's football team in 2009 and 2010. In 2011, he was named the head coach of the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League, a professional league teetering on the brink of financial collapse. It was a risky proposition, but one he felt he needed to take to prove to his naysayers that he could coach a college team. Failure would mean the death of a dream that refused to die.

As told by Forbes writer, Monte Burke, 4th & Goal is a detailed account of Joe Moglia's amazing and uplifting life story, his quest for his ultimate dream and its stunning conclusion. It's a tale of overcoming adversity...of never giving up...of never losing sight of one's true goals in life.

It is a story, quite literally, of a dream deferred, but never forgotten.

©2012 Monte Burke (P)2012 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"If you're a football fan, this is a book you must read" (Bill Cowher, former coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers)

Interesting story

Thoughtful and well developed. Enjoyed learning more about joe and his story. Would definitely recommend.

Great motivating story!!

Great story and well written. Narrator mispronounced so many names in the sports world it was annoying.

I love football books

What made the experience of listening to 4th & Goal the most enjoyable?

George Newbern is easy to listen to.

What was one of the most memorable moments of 4th & Goal?

Joe's journy in UFL

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes but did not have the time