#660 - Jim Harrick - NCAA Champion Coach Took His UCLA Team To The National Title In 1995

In this episode of The Jimmy Rex Show, Jimmy sits down with one of college basketball’s true legends — Coach Jim Harrick, the mastermind behind UCLA’s 1995 national championship team. With a career spanning over two decades, Harrick reflects on his incredible journey through high school gyms, Pepperdine, UCLA, and beyond, sharing insights into leadership, recruiting, and the timeless lessons he learned from his mentor, the great John Wooden.

Coach Harrick opens up about the values that guided his teams — teamwork, discipline, and faith — and why the “John Wooden system” remains one of the most brilliant frameworks in sports. From stories about the O’Bannon brothers and Tyus Edney’s famous full-court game-winner to his thoughts on the NIL era and the collapse of the Pac-12, this conversation is a masterclass in coaching wisdom and integrity. Whether you’re a basketball fan, leader, or student of greatness, this episode will leave you inspired by one of the game’s most respected minds.

00:00 Introduction
01:20 Jimmy’s dad, faith, and UCLA memories
02:45 Coaching path: Morningside → Pepperdine → UCLA → NBA
05:30 Building the L.A. recruiting pipeline & keeping local talent
07:05 John Wooden’s system: teaching, defense & “share the sugar”
10:20 Motivation, discipline, and practice planning
13:55 Recruiting stories (Lamar Odom), camps & networking
17:10 Modern game: NIL, transfer portal & Pac-12 thoughts
22:50 Life after coaching: family, faith & grandkids
30:50 Tyus Edney’s 4.8-second play, legacy
34:35 Outro