BASKETBALL COACHING LEGEND RICK PITINO ON ATTAINING SUCCESS AFTER FAILURE AND LOSS

REBOUND RULES:

The Art of Success 2.0

By Rick Pitino

With Pat Forde

"Rick Pitino is absolutely the greatest coach I've ever had in my life, and I've played for probably six guys who will be in the Hall of Fame. His greatest strength is making people believe--in themselves and in each other."
 -- Mark Jackson, former NBA All-Star and current ESPN NBA analyst

"The great strength he has, in my opinion, is his ability to give. He has a relentless passion to help people get better. He takes everyone to a place they didn't think they could reach." 
             -- Billy Donovan, University of Florida coach and two-time national champion

Rick Pitino is one of the most successful coaches in college basketball history. The only coach to lead three different teams to the Final Four, winner of the 1996 NCAA championship, and proud holder of 521-191 record, Pitino is rightfully headed for the Hall of Fame. Throughout his illustrious coaching career at Providence College, Kentucky University, the University of Louisville, and in the NBA, Pitino has earned a reputation as a master at motivating players, creating winning teams, and being an exceptional leader.

Yet along with his success, Pitino has suffered a series of personal and professional setbacks, including an unsuccessful stint with the Boston Celtics, the tragic deaths of two brothers-in-law (one of whom died in the terror attacks on 9/11), and the loss of an infant son. But after each loss, Pitino was able to come back with a stronger sense of confidence, a renewed passion for his work, and a new perspective on what it truly means to live a productive and meaningful life.

In REBOUND RULES: The Art of Success 2.0 (Collins/October 1, 2008/$25.95 hardcover), Pitino explains how adversity can create new opportunities to gain a richer perspective on life and work. Citing examples from his experiences in basketball as well as from his personal life, Pitino reveals a new model for achieving success after failure and loss. Following in the tradition of his other bestselling books Success is a Choice and Lead to Succeed, REBOUND RULES is Pitino's most personal and powerful book and an inspiring guide for anyone who wants to reach unprecedented levels of success.

In REBOUND RULES, Pitino takes the personal lessons he's learned both on and off the court to offer a wealth of advice for executing a new strategy when life doesn't go according to plan. He gives readers the insight and confidence they need to turn challenges into new methods of success while reconnecting to their passions and dreams. REBOUND RULES can put anyone on the path to restarting, reinvigorating, and redefining a successful life career that will last well beyond retirement.

Throughout REBOUND RULES, Pitino discusses his own personal and professional setbacks and greatest triumphs, offering a unique glimpse into the life of one of college basketball's greatest coaches. He writes of his mistakes as head coach of the Boston Celtics and why even though he lost $23 million by walking away from his contract, he knew it was the right decision. Citing the three biggest mistakes he made-making too many spontaneous decisions about players, looking for too many short cuts, and beating himself up for the team's failures-Pitino explains why the "darkness of doubt" visits everyone, regardless of their background or profession. "I owned up to my failures and flaws," Pitino writes. "And then I dropped it, as quickly as possible. The realization was added to the wisdom I needed to lead, and it finally gave me a chance to take a clear-eyed look at who I was, where I was and where I wanted to go."

Pitino writes with remarkable candor of how in the midst of his turmoil with the Celtics, he also had to overcome the deaths of his family members, revealing his methods for dealing with and accepting emotional tragedies. He also discusses his return to college basketball as head coach at the University of Louisville and how he learned the keys to overcoming failure: stay focused on your fundamental talents and passions, use your mistakes as learning tools, and resist the urge to run away from your problems.

REBOUND RULES offers tips and advice for incorporating Pitino's strategies into any personal or professional situation. He explains why sticking to and developing personal strengths is the right way to achieve greatness. Pitino also discusses how to avoid such pitfalls of success as complacency, grandiosity, and losing focus, as well as how to remain poised and confident at all times by staying flexible and open minded. He explains how to surround yourself with the best team possible, how to hire and work with leaders, how to determine your own net worth and the value you bring to others, why making a positive impact on those around you enhances your situation, and why redefining yourself and taking on new challenges-not retiring-is the path to a more fulfilling life as you age.

Being confronted with adversity-in sports, business, or in life-happens more than anyone wants to admit. As Pitino explains, REBOUND RULES can arm anyone with a winning game plan to help them "accept the detour, learn from the unexpected new path you're on and arrive at your destination with a greater wisdom and an enhanced perspective."