Description
Book SynopsisThe biography of George Allen, one of the greatest and most memorable coaches in NFL history and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Trade Review"This biography of Allen by Michael Richman is a wonderful tribute to the coach."—
Guy Who Reviews Sports Books“Every chapter reveals intriguing, motivational stories about the spirit of the innovative maverick George Allen. Mike Richman provides fresh, inspirational perspectives giving readers meaningful life lessons and understanding of why for indefatigably driven George Allen—the future is always now!”—George Felix Allen, son of coach George Allen and former governor of Virginia and U.S. senator
“In his exhaustive biography, Mike Richman captures the life of the ultimate Cold War coach from football’s golden age, George Allen. This is the story of a man both consumed and capable, a big winner who could only be defeated by his own flaws.”—Jack Gilden, author of
Collision of Wills: Johnny Unitas, Don Shula, and the Rise of the Modern NFL“We set out to do a thirty-minute documentary on George Allen. We realized thirty minutes wasn’t enough, so we expanded it to an hour. But you need a book to tell Allen’s story. Mike Richman has written a great one.”—Ray Didinger, senior producer, NFL Films
Table of Contents List of Illustrations
Foreword by Dick Vermeil
Preface
Prologue: Driven to Succeed
1. Humble Beginnings
2. The Roots of His Genius
3. From America’s Heartland to Southern California
4. At the Car Wash
5. Doing It George’s Way
6. “Allen Never Should Have Left”
7. Erasing a “Country Club” Image
8. An Addiction to Winning
9. “Merry Christmas, You’re Fired”
10. A Bear and a Moose
11. Mr. Allen Goes to Washington
12. Waking a Sleeping Giant
13. His Crowning Moment
14. Cruising with George Allen
15. “Two Major Egos Clashing”
16. The Fourth Estate
17. Motivation—George Allen Style
18. “He’s All They Have”
19. The Beginning of the End
20. “Someone Has Cut Out My Heart”
21. Uncharted Waters
22. A New League Comes Calling
23. “Are You Kidding?”
24. An “Almost Impossible” Task
Epilogue: The Ultimate Honor
Acknowledgments
Appendix A: All-Time Coaching Record
Appendix B: Coaching Tree
Notes
Bibliography
Index
