Regal has scored with a rush-to-press book honoring one of the sporting world's most revered figures.

Trade sales director Ken Lorenz said that the company had already almost sold through the initial 42,000-copy print run for The Greatest Coach Ever, published in partnership with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).

Originally due to release in October, the book was brought forward for a July 1 debut following the June 4 death of longtime college basketball coach John Wooden, at the age of 99.

Bringing together reflections from athletes, coaches and other sporting figures on how Wooden impacted their lives, the 160-page paperback also includes an introductory tribute by Regal's senior editor, Steven Lawson, who met with Wooden shortly before his death.

"We have had a great response," said Lorenz, following a signing session with FCA General Editor Dan Britton, who worked on the book.

He added that the flurry of media coverage about Wooden and his life also spiked interest in Regal's 2006 Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success, written by Wooden and Jay Carty, and the pair's companion Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success Playbook. Regal also published Wooden One-on-One, a collection of 60 daily readings.

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