Praise for Dear Jay, Love Dad: Bud Wilkinson’s Letters to His Son

“Throughout my career I have emphasized the importance of a father’s guidance, encouragement, and love to his children. These wonderful letters from Bud Wilkinson to his son Jay capture the essence of that responsibility and are a timeless guide for all of us.”

Bill Cosby
Comedian, actor and author of Fatherhood

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“I had great respect for Bud Wilkinson, whom we all remember as one of our great football coaches. Now we know something else: he was a great letter writers, and a great dad. These letters to his son not only tell us a little more about Bud, but also about our country during the tumultuous ‘60s. You don’t have to be a football fan to enjoy this peek back into time.”

George H.W. Bush
Forty-first President of the United States

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“Bud Wilkinson defined greatness as a football coach. The letters in this book to his son Jay reach far beyond sports and speak to the timeless lessons every father wants to leave to his children.”

Bob Stoops
Head football coach, University of Oklahoma

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“The genius of Bud Wilkinson as a football coach becomes apparent in these remarkable letters to his son Jay. He imbued his players with the same values he instilled in his sons. He treated the players like family members, and it showed.”

Barry Switzer
Former head football coach, University of Oklahoma and Dallas Cowboys

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“We all have much to learn from the loving, encouraging, and insightful letters of Bud Wilkinson to his son. While Bud was undoubtedly a gifted football coach, these letters show that his success was deeply rooted in his personal values and in his love for young people.”

David Boren
President of the University of Oklahoma

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“Jay Wilkinson has done what many a son has wished he could do for his father—create a loving and revealing look at the man who has had such a deeply positive influence on his life.”

Charlie Rose
Broadcast journalist and host of Charlie Rose

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“Bud Wilkinson’s success as a coach was due not just to the speed, strength, and skill of his players but also to the values and principles that guided every action he took and ever decision he made. Those values and principles, articulated in these letters, can inspire leaders today to achieve success—whether in business, politics, or academia—with integrity.”

Roy Bostock
Chairman of the board of Yahoo! Inc.

Bud's Former Players Speak Out

"Bud instilled a confidence in you that carries with you for the rest of your life. I've patterned a lot of my life after him. He was a tremendous father figure to me." Jimmy Harris “Thank you for sharing your father’s letters. Perhaps the highest compliment I could convey (is) that you obviously inherited many of your father’s talents.” James Payne "If it weren't for Bud, I don't know what my life would have been like. I probably would have been just another guy. He was totally responsible for any success I had, no question." Jack Mitchell “The book brought back so many memories for me during that time. He had a gigantic impact on all of our lives…to this very day. I feel privileged to have known him and played on his teams.” Jerry Goldsby "(Bud) showed wisdom and advice to young men on which way to go with their lives. he was the epitome of the great father and a great coach and a great individual." Bill Krisher "Other than my father and the good Lord Jesus, Bud had as much influence on me as anybody. I felt inspired to do things more than I really had the capability of doing." Charley Mayhue

More Praise

“The book is inspirational and I’m ordering copies for friends. Your Dad’s words are powerful and I want to share them with friends.”
Don Clark
Business executive

“I was so inspired by your book that I sat down yesterday and wrote my 10-year-old grandson a letter.”
Biff Bracy
Former Duke University football and baseball standout

“I have just finished reading your wonderful memoir for a second time. I found your father’s letters to be both a fascinating look into the thinking of a great leader and also an intimate view into his love for his son.”
Steve Swendiman
Former National Association of Counties executive

“I want to express my sincere appreciation for you spending time with my staff earlier this month. You have a gift for inspiring others—as your father did. I believe your presentations and book will change many lives.”
Lane Roberts
Business Executive

“I have always thought about the tremendous influence my father had upon me. As a result, reading about your relationship with your Dad had tremendous meaning.”
Mark Landon
Former Duke University Football Player

“The book was the perfect gift for a dad with four boys!! My oldest son and I read and discussed it together. Bud’s words of wisdom put things in a whole new perspective.”
Joe Brown
Realtor, Keller Williams

“My father gave me one of the best presents I’ve received in a while: your book. I thought you would like to know the profound impact your father had on my father. An impact I did not truly realize until I read your father’s letters to you.”
Russell Vaclaw
Associate District Judge