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Bill Courtney
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Against the Grain: A Coach's Wisdom on Character, Faith, Family, and Love Hardcover – May 13, 2014

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 131 ratings
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Bill Courtney — entrepreneur, football coach, and subject of the Oscar-winning documentary Undefeated — shares his hard-won lessons on discipline, success, teamwork and triumph over adversity.

In Against the Grain, Bill Courtney shares his convictions on the fundamental tenets of character, commitment, service, leadership, civility, and others that, in his decades of success as an entrepreneur and educator, have proven to be the keys to a winning and meaningful life and career. Each chapter tells the story of one of these tenets through compelling anecdotes of the colorful characters in Bill's life, leading to a deeper understand of the meaning of each and how to employee these fundamentals in all aspects of one's life. Against the Grain intertwines inspiring and thought-provoking anecdotes, lessons, and amazing real life examples. Bill's passion for us all to reconsider our own approach to life and constantly improve upon it comes across on every page.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    240 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Hachette Books
  4. Publication date
    May 13, 2014
  5. Dimensions
    6.2 x 1.1 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1602862249
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1602862241
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

John Feinstein, sportswriter and bestselling author of A Good Walk Spoiled
"Bill Courtney has nothing to prove to anyone as a football coach, as a businessman and as a human being. But if you want proof that his life has been fascinating, Against The Grain gives you all need. Enjoy the ride."

Praise for Bill Courtney
Yogi Roth, Former QB coach at USC and New York Times bestselling co-author of Win Forever and From PA to LA
“The role for a coach is often defined by wins and losses. Coach Courtney is a unique coach who understands that his role is not about a trophy, but about developing the next generation of leaders across the globe.Against The Grain speaks directly to that audience, both young and old, and is a must read for anyone who strives to impact others.”

Pete Carroll, Head Coach of Superbowl XLVIII Champions Seattle Seahawks and New York Times bestselling author
“Coach Courtney is an ultimate competitor with a passion for excellence. He continues to be an inspiration to coaches and players all around the football world – from high school to college to the pros – and also those from off the gridiron as well.”

Esquire
“The star of a new documentary is a leader for our times.”

Praise for Against the Grain
Phil Jackson, NBA Coach and New York Times bestselling author of Eleven Rings, from the foreword
"His success serves as a moving example of what can happen when people in authority care about others - not just about winning the next game or securing the next client.”

Ron Shelton, director of Bull Durham
"The old fashioned values of Coach Courtney come across as revolutionary in the cynical contemporary world, full of detail and anecdotes worthy of a Southern Preacher, but without the guilt.”

Jeanie Buss, President of the LA Lakers
“Sports is not the only realm where coaching counts. Bill Courtney has written a book that demonstrates to the beaten down executive that by peeling down to the values of character, commitment and leadership you can find your way back to a successful business and a meaningful life.”

Pam Shriver, International Tennis Hall of Fame & ESPN Broadcaster
“I was as inspired, especially by the chapter on perseverance. Everyone faces adversity and if you persevere through the tough times, you will become resilient which will lead to success. ”

About the Author

Bill Courtney is a volunteer football coach and the owner and operator of Classic American Hardwoods, a 45 million lumber company and sitting board member of the prestigious Society of Entrepreneurs. He is a sought-after motivational speaker and consultant for organizations such as Nike, Pepsico, the USOC Paralympic Leadership Conference, the FedEx Leadership Live Conference, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He hosts An Army of Normal Folks on iHeart Media. Courtney lives with his wife and four children in Memphis, Tennessee.

Michael Arkush has written twelve books, including Rush! and The Fight of The Century. He and his wife, Pauletta Walsh, live in Oak View, California.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hachette Books; First Edition (May 13, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1602862249
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1602862241
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.2 x 1.1 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 131 ratings

About the author

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Bill Courtney

Bill Courtney

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William B Courtney (Bill), a native Memphian, founded Classic American Hardwoods, Inc. in 2001. Today, this 2001 startup company has grown to employ 120 people with a 45 acre manufacturing facility and domestic sales offices in Memphis, TN and international sales offices in Shanghai, China and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In 2007, Classic American Hardwoods, Inc. won the Memphis Business Journal's Small Business of the Year Award based on its growth and commitment to community service.

In 2003, Bill followed CAH employee and college friend Jim Tipton to volunteer at Memphis' inner city Manassas High School in an effort to turn its underperforming football team around. In 2003, the team consisted of 19 players and the team's overall previous 10 year's record was a dismal 4-95. In the 2008 and 2009 seasons, the team's record improved to 18-2, it boasted 75 players, and helped to bring hope to countless underprivileged, inner city youth. The story was so compelling that a Hollywood film--Undefeated--was produced about it that won the 2012 Academy Award for Best Feature Length Documentary.

In 2011, Bill was inducted into Bridge Builders for leadership in diversity, community, and justice. He was the 2012 recipient of the Liberty Bowl's Harry Zinn Spirit of 1776 award for distinguished citizenship, recipient of the Carnival Memphis' King's award for outstanding achievement in Business and Industry, and the National Football Foundation and College Hall of fame Memphis chapter's award winner for The distinguished American for Contribution to Amateur Athletics. In 2013, he was inducted into the prestigious Society of Entrepreneurs as a result of his success in business and community service.

Today, Bill still operates as the President and CEO of Classic American Hardwoods overseeing its day to day operations, enjoys public speaking at a variety of venues from the Para Olympics in Colorado Springs to Nike, PepsiCo, FedEx, and other nationally recognized companies to churches, schools, and hospitals, and is writing a book, Against the Grain to be released in 2014. Courtney lives with his wife and four children in Memphis, Tennessee.

Follow him on Twitter at @IamCoachBill and @CoachBillSays

Visit: coachbillcourtney.com

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
131 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Mike Malatesta
5.0 out of 5 stars Undefeated - That's How I Heard It
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2023
Verified Purchase
I heard about Bill, his book, his movie and his entrepreneurial career on the Mike Rowe podcast and I wanted to learn more so I bought the book and I’m glad I did. Bill is a great story teller with a great story to tell. The amazing impact that he's had as a football coach, a father and husband, and an entrepreneur inspire me to 'up my game' and expand my thinking about what's possible! You Should Read This!
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J. Eckles
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful account written by a good man.
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2014
Verified Purchase
I was one of the students at Rosemark Academy during Coach Courtney's time there. I count him among the greatest teachers I had at any level of education, elementary through doctoral. He was the man who taught me as an eighth grader how to read a novel, what the "elbow" is on a basketball court, why a "knight on the rim is grim", and gave me a base for developing leadership.

One of the things I really enjoyed while reading Against the Grain was seeing how Billy's thoughts on leadership have coalesced since I knew him in his 20's. Even then as a fresh college grad his focus was on character. Many of the principles he presents resonate with what I'm learning about leadership: the fundamental importance of serving those you lead, the power of grace, the importance of understanding responsibility versus duty.

What gratifies me most about seeing the differences between Coach Courtney at age 22 and Mr. Courtney in his 40s now is this: he developed. It's not that he's a better person now than he was then; it's that he's more effective. He has reflected on his principles and values, he's focused his choices based on those reflections, and he's become more effective at everything he does now. His articulations of those lessons in Against the Grain are his gift to us.

Many of us have heroes from our childhood, and Coach is one of mine. That said, I don't want to be like Billy. His life, as far as I can tell, has always been a ridiculous hurricane of activity and risk that I have no appetite for. I do, however, want to develop like him. I want to take advantage of the privileges I have, the knowledge I've gained, the grace I've been afforded, and the values I've developed. I want to use them to raise my own four children to become Christ followers, to make life a little better for the men and women who work with me, to be a worthy husband, and to fulfill better all of those responsibilities tomorrow than I do today.
5 people found this helpful
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Stephen O'Neill
5.0 out of 5 stars If you want to learn how to leave a TRUE LEGACY with your life you should READ THIS BOOK!!!
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2014
Verified Purchase
This book is incredible! It is filled with straight up truth about being a leader and serving people with heart. Whether it is being a coach, business owner, father or husband, Bill boils it all down to the same foundation; leadership by serving. In today's world we hear many messages and many of those are muddled, self centered, or full of half truths at best.
Bill writes about solid principles that DO NOT change and he does it with amazing sincerity. Coach Bill has challenged me to "step out of my comfort zone" and quit waiting for OTHERS to make a difference.
Entitlement is rampant in our society and it is death to the soul. It has no socioeconomic boundaries. Everyone can suffer from entitlement. Presidents of companies, new grads, even a 47 year old guy who is blessed beyond what he deserves (that is me). Bill writes that if we truly understand grace and forgiveness we want to extend that to others and it is our greatest joy. By the Way, if you've not seen the movie "Undefeated", watch it, and I hope the movie and this book together blesses you as much as they blessed me!!!
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Garden_beach
5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely recommend
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2016
Verified Purchase
Easy and great read. It's obvious Coach Courtney cares about people and doesn't hide anything or hold anything back. I watched his documentary and reading the book was an extension of that; he is consistent throughout. I've read many books from other coaches such as Phil Jackson and John Wooden, but this one trumps them all. I recommend one doesn't blast through the book, but read it piecemeal as if reading works from Rick Warren (30-40 pages at a time) so one can process the ideas Coach is writing about. Other similar books, I read once and move on, but this is one I'd re-read. I might not necessarily agree with everything he wrote, but I can't argue against them either. Great work!
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tg3
4.0 out of 5 stars Good book and story
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2017
Verified Purchase
Definitely a good book for football coaches to read. This really puts coaching in perspective and makes you think about what you are doing
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Frances C. Kauffman
5.0 out of 5 stars Against the Grain by Bill Cortney
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2014
Verified Purchase
This is written by a fellow Memphian (TN) that had donated his time to a high school whose student body was primarily African American to coach their football team going for the first time to the state championships winning second place. He saw to it that the students realized the importance of passing their academics. This story was the basis for the film, Undefeated. This experience along with having started a new business and events in his personal life make it a "Must Read" for almost anyone. As the subtitle states it is sharing his wisdom on Character, Faith, Family and Love.
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Austin
5.0 out of 5 stars The Playbook for LIfe
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2014
Verified Purchase
This book is a perfect example of how one man can use his personal experiences both in professional and athletic experiences, and relate them to core life principles that are applicable in every aspect of life. I've used this book in my own life to "keep it real". This is one of those books where once you pick it up you cannot put it back down. I read the book in 4 days, and was still wanting more once I finished the final chapter. This book is not a self-help or development book, but a playbook for life.
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Walter Roop
5.0 out of 5 stars Wisdom, Guidance and Answers
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2014
Verified Purchase
After watching UNDEFEATED, how could anyone pass up reading this book! Ordered several. When "ATG" came in, I read it till midnight. So many life lessons. As a businessman (especially if you've ever started a business from zero), you can identify with and appreciate Bill Courtney. The life principles in this book hits home personally and professionally for any Father, Leader, businessman, church coach and husband! Chapters "Graces appears in a forgiving heart" and "Perseverance never takes a break" were very personal and meaningful. Refreshing!
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