About the Author

John Calipari is the current head coach of the University of Kentucky s men s basketball team and a veteran of nearly twenty college seasons at the University of Memphis and the University of Massachusetts. Widely regarded as one of the greatest program builders in all of college basketball, Calipari and his teams have earned twelve conference titles, fifteen NCAA Tournament berths, five Final Fours, and the 2012 NCAA championship. Calipari s eight 30-win seasons are third most for a head coach in NCAA Division I history.
Michael Sokolove is a contributing writer for "The New York Times Magazine "and the author of four books: " Drama High," "Warrior Girls," "Hustle," and "The Ticket Out.""

Reviews

President William J. Clinton:
"If you are a college basketball fan like I am, you ll understand why I ve long admired John Calipari s leadership style. While no coach treasures a win more than John, this terrific book reveals his greater purpose to lead his young players to better lives, and then challenge them to give back to others."
Simon Sinek, optimist and author of "Start with Why" and "Leaders Eat Last"
"Players First" is filled with so many nuggets of wisdom, I found myself highlighting and taking notes as I read. Writing like a loving but honest parent, Calipari shares stories of how he learned to inspire greatness from his players and how they pushed themselves to achieve more than they thought possible. A truly human account of what it takes to win, "Players First" proves that winning has nothing to do with the score, it has to do with the people.
John C. Maxwell, "New York Times" bestselling author and speaker:
"Players First" captures why so many kids want to play for John Calipari and why so many mothers and fathers ask him to take their boys and mold them into young men. Through stories and examples, Coach Cal brings out his most important teaching tool, which is servant leadership. Teaching these young people to care more about others than themselves is what sets his program apart and what sets this book apart from other coaches books. It's a must-read.
Ken Blanchard, coauthor of "The One Minute Manager(r)," "Leading at a Higher Level," and "TrustWorks!"
I ve been an admirer and friend of John Calipari for over thirty years ever since his coaching days at the University of Massachusetts, where I was a professor. I ve watched Cal and his wife, Ellen, treat his players as family and help bring out their best, not only on the court but also in their future lives as spouses, parents, friends, business leaders, and contributors to their communities. "Players First" is not just for sports fans it s for anyone who is open to learn that viewing your people as your number one customer is the key to long-term success. Wins and profits are the byproducts of putting your players/people first. I love this book and so will you and the people you care about and count on at home, at work, and in the community where you live. Thanks, Cal. "

President William J. Clinton:
"If you are a college basketball fan like I am, you'll understand why I've long admired John Calipari's leadership style. While no coach treasures a win more than John, this terrific book reveals his greater purpose--to lead his young players to better lives, and then challenge them to give back to others."
Simon Sinek, optimist and author of "Start with Why" and "Leaders Eat Last"
""Players First" is filled with so many nuggets of wisdom, I found myself highlighting and taking notes as I read. Writing like a loving but honest parent, Calipari shares stories of how he learned to inspire greatness from his players and how they pushed themselves to achieve more than they thought possible. A truly human account of what it takes to win, "Players First" proves that winning has nothing to do with the score, it has to do with the people."
John C. Maxwell, "New York Times" bestselling author and speaker:
""Players First" captures why so many kids want to play for John Calipari and why so many mothers and fathers ask him to take their boys and mold them into young men. Through stories and examples, Coach Cal brings out his most important teaching tool, which is servant leadership. Teaching these young people to care more about others than themselves is what sets his program apart and what sets this book apart from other coaches' books. It's a must-read."
Ken Blanchard, coauthor of "The One Minute Manager(R)," "Leading at a Higher Level," and "TrustWorks!"
"I've been an admirer and friend of John Calipari for over thirty years--ever since his coaching days at the University of Massachusetts, where I was a professor. I've watched Cal and his wife, Ellen, treat his players as family and help bring out their best, not only on the court but also in their future lives as spouses, parents, friends, business leaders, and contributors to their communities. "Players First" is not just for sports fans--it's for anyone who is open to learn that viewing your people as your number one customer is the key to long-term success. Wins and profits are the byproducts of putting your players/people first. I love this book--and so will you and the people you care about and count on at home, at work, and in the community where you live. Thanks, Cal."

Simon Sinek, optimist and author of "Start with Why" and "Leaders Eat Last"
""Players First" is filled with so many nuggets of wisdom, I found myself highlighting and taking notes as I read. Writing like a loving but honest parent, Calipari shares stories of how he learned to inspire greatness from his players and how they pushed themselves to achieve more than they thought possible. A truly human account of what it takes to win, "Players First" proves that winning has nothing to do with the score, it has to do with the people."

John C. Maxwell, "New York Times" bestselling author and speaker:
""Players First" captures why so many kids want to play for John Calipari and why so many mothers and fathers ask him to take their boys and mold them into young men. Through stories and examples, Coach Cal brings out his most important teaching tool, which is servant leadership. Teaching these young people to care more about others than themselves is what sets his program apart and what sets this book apart from other coaches' books. It's a must-read."

Ken Blanchard, coauthor of "The One Minute Manager(R)", "Leading at a Higher Level", and "TrustWorks!"
"I've been an admirer and friend of John Calipari for over thirty years--ever since his coaching days at the University of Massachusetts, where I was a professor. I've watched Cal and his wife, Ellen, treat his players as family and help bring out their best, not only on the court but also in their future lives as spouses, parents, friends, business leaders, and contributors to their communities. "Players First" is not just for sports fans--it's for anyone who is open to learn that viewing your people as your number one customer is the key to long-term success. Wins and profits are the byproducts of putting your players/people first. I love this book--and so will you and the people you care about and count on at home, at work, and in the community where you live. Thanks, Cal."