University of Notre Dame associate athletic director Harrity sat down for one-on-one interviews with some of the most respected coaches to dissect their playbooks and strategies. Rather than discussing Xs and Os, Harrity encouraged folks like former NFL coaches Tony Dungy and Don Shula, Butler University men's basketball coach Brad Stevens, former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz, and the late UCLA men's basketball coach John Wooden to share their motivational styles and winning leadership principles. With chapters like "Creating a Caring Environment" for players, "Communicating Effectively," "Building Team-First Unity," and "Motivating and Inspiring Your Team," Harrity targets leaders of any group—whether on the field or in the boardroom. Holtz warns to "criticize the performance, never the performer," and University of Nebraska athletic director (and former football coach) Tom Osborne emphasizes the importance of each player understanding his or her role on the team. "Chalk Talk" sections at the conclusion of each chapter review key points, and in between chapters, the author provides profiles of his subjects, focusing on such topics as teaching players to "Deal With Adversity," Wooden's "Pyramid of Success," and "Learning From defeat." Additionally, Harrity catches up with some of these coaches' former players, giving readers a greater understanding of these coaches' impact. Photos. (Mar.)