UCLA Anderson School Honors Coach Cori Close with Leadership Award
The UCLA Anderson School of Management recently celebrated an extraordinary figure in women's basketball, Cori Close, by bestowing upon her the prestigious 2026 John Wooden Global Leadership Award. The event, held at the famed Pauley Pavilion, was a luminous gathering attended by over 500 guests, including alumni and current students, all eager to pay tribute to Close’s remarkable contributions both on and off the court.
Cori Close, who has served as the Michael Price Family UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach since 2011, has truly embodied the spirit of leadership that Coach John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach, represented. The 2026 award recognizes not only Close’s athletic achievements but her profound commitment to fostering the personal development of her student-athletes. Dean Gareth James aptly articulated, "We are honoring Cori because she manifests something Coach Wooden understood deeply: Leadership is ultimately about what you bring out in other people."
As a leader, Close has distinguished herself through an unwavering pursuit of excellence and a strong dedication to nurturing her players as individuals. In the 2026 season, she led the UCLA women's basketball team to an impressive record of 37-1, culminating in the program's first NCAA championship. Close was also honored with the title of Big Ten Coach of the Year, alongside receiving numerous national accolades. Beyond the victories, Close marked her place in history by becoming the first coach in UCLA women’s basketball history to achieve over 300 wins.
Cori Close’s journey began in 1993, when she joined the UCLA coaching staff as an assistant coach. This period was pivotal, as it allowed her to develop her coaching philosophy under the mentorship of Coach Wooden. Close continuously reflects on Wooden’s impactful lessons, particularly the importance of achieving excellence without compromising the well-being of the athletes. In her words, "Coach Wooden taught me that, as coaches, we can demand excellence without tearing our athletes down or relying on fear."
During the award ceremony, Close shared heartfelt reflections, recalling her dialogues with Coach Wooden, who often refrained from providing direct solutions. Instead, he guided her with questions that encouraged self-reflection and personal growth. "I remember going to Coach and asking for advice, and he would reply, 'I don’t give advice. I only share my opinion.' His ability to foster thinking in others has empowered me to lead in a manner that aligns with my values."
The evening was further enriched with an engaging discussion between Close and Brian Cornell, the board chairman and former CEO of Target Inc. Their conversation touched on pivotal moments of leadership and the transformative experiences of the championship season. Close emphasized the significance of crafting an atmosphere of connection within the team, stating, "You can't have a committed team unless you have a connected team." Her vision aims to empower each player, creating safe spaces where they can thrive.
The program also featured a tribute to Coach Wooden, led by Basketball Hall of Famer Marques Johnson, who was a part of Wooden's final championship team. Johnson poignantly remarked that love is integral to coaching, reminding the audience of the special camaraderie and atmosphere that Wooden nurtured. He shared how being part of Wooden’s legacy is not just about winning games, but about forming genuine relationships and fostering deep respect amongst team members.
In addition to honoring Close, the event recognized three students as the recipients of the 2026 John Wooden Leadership Fellowships, each awarded a $35,000 fellowship to support their leadership pursuits at UCLA Anderson. As Coach Wooden inspired a generation of leaders, so too do these fellows, embodying the principles of empathy, care, and respect that Wooden championed.
The John Wooden Global Leadership Award, first instituted in 2008, remains a prestigious accolade recognizing those whose leadership styles and community service resonate with the values that Coach Wooden exemplified. Previous honorees include executives from some of the nation’s leading companies, marking the award as a high honor in leadership.
Importantly, the event also serves a greater cause, with proceeds supporting fellowship programs at UCLA Anderson, designed to encourage the next wave of leaders to continue to uplift and inspire others. With the legacy of John Wooden still echoing in the halls of UCLA and through the actions of leaders like Cori Close, the future of student-athlete coaching looks brighter than ever.
Cori Close, who has served as the Michael Price Family UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach since 2011, has truly embodied the spirit of leadership that Coach John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach, represented. The 2026 award recognizes not only Close’s athletic achievements but her profound commitment to fostering the personal development of her student-athletes. Dean Gareth James aptly articulated, "We are honoring Cori because she manifests something Coach Wooden understood deeply: Leadership is ultimately about what you bring out in other people."
As a leader, Close has distinguished herself through an unwavering pursuit of excellence and a strong dedication to nurturing her players as individuals. In the 2026 season, she led the UCLA women's basketball team to an impressive record of 37-1, culminating in the program's first NCAA championship. Close was also honored with the title of Big Ten Coach of the Year, alongside receiving numerous national accolades. Beyond the victories, Close marked her place in history by becoming the first coach in UCLA women’s basketball history to achieve over 300 wins.
Cori Close’s journey began in 1993, when she joined the UCLA coaching staff as an assistant coach. This period was pivotal, as it allowed her to develop her coaching philosophy under the mentorship of Coach Wooden. Close continuously reflects on Wooden’s impactful lessons, particularly the importance of achieving excellence without compromising the well-being of the athletes. In her words, "Coach Wooden taught me that, as coaches, we can demand excellence without tearing our athletes down or relying on fear."
During the award ceremony, Close shared heartfelt reflections, recalling her dialogues with Coach Wooden, who often refrained from providing direct solutions. Instead, he guided her with questions that encouraged self-reflection and personal growth. "I remember going to Coach and asking for advice, and he would reply, 'I don’t give advice. I only share my opinion.' His ability to foster thinking in others has empowered me to lead in a manner that aligns with my values."
The evening was further enriched with an engaging discussion between Close and Brian Cornell, the board chairman and former CEO of Target Inc. Their conversation touched on pivotal moments of leadership and the transformative experiences of the championship season. Close emphasized the significance of crafting an atmosphere of connection within the team, stating, "You can't have a committed team unless you have a connected team." Her vision aims to empower each player, creating safe spaces where they can thrive.
The program also featured a tribute to Coach Wooden, led by Basketball Hall of Famer Marques Johnson, who was a part of Wooden's final championship team. Johnson poignantly remarked that love is integral to coaching, reminding the audience of the special camaraderie and atmosphere that Wooden nurtured. He shared how being part of Wooden’s legacy is not just about winning games, but about forming genuine relationships and fostering deep respect amongst team members.
In addition to honoring Close, the event recognized three students as the recipients of the 2026 John Wooden Leadership Fellowships, each awarded a $35,000 fellowship to support their leadership pursuits at UCLA Anderson. As Coach Wooden inspired a generation of leaders, so too do these fellows, embodying the principles of empathy, care, and respect that Wooden championed.
The John Wooden Global Leadership Award, first instituted in 2008, remains a prestigious accolade recognizing those whose leadership styles and community service resonate with the values that Coach Wooden exemplified. Previous honorees include executives from some of the nation’s leading companies, marking the award as a high honor in leadership.
Importantly, the event also serves a greater cause, with proceeds supporting fellowship programs at UCLA Anderson, designed to encourage the next wave of leaders to continue to uplift and inspire others. With the legacy of John Wooden still echoing in the halls of UCLA and through the actions of leaders like Cori Close, the future of student-athlete coaching looks brighter than ever.
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