Fear No Man: Don James, the '91 Huskies, and the Seven-Year Quest for a National Football Championship
Finalist for the 2022 Washington State Book Award for General Nonfiction, sponsored by The Washington Center for the Book and the Seattle Public Library

The inside story of one of the most electrifying college football teams of all time



In 1984 the University of Washington Huskies won every game but one, ranking second in national polls. For most coaches, such a season would be a career pinnacle. But for Don James second place motivated him to set aside what he knew about football and rethink the game. James made radical changes to his coaching philosophy, from recruitment to becoming one of the first college teams willing to blitz on any down and in any situation. His new approach initially failed, yet it finally culminated in one of the most explosive teams in college football history.

In Fear No Man, Mike Gastineau recounts the riveting story of Don James and the national championship team he built. Undefeated, the 1991 Huskies outscored opponents by an average of 31 points per game on their way to winning the Rose Bowl and a national championship. The team included twenty-five future NFL players, and in Gastineau’s gripping account they come alive with all the swagger and joy they brought to the game. A brilliant examination of one of college football’s greatest coaches and teams, Fear No Man is the inspirational story of an improbable journey that led to one classic and unforgettable season.

1138991337
Fear No Man: Don James, the '91 Huskies, and the Seven-Year Quest for a National Football Championship
Finalist for the 2022 Washington State Book Award for General Nonfiction, sponsored by The Washington Center for the Book and the Seattle Public Library

The inside story of one of the most electrifying college football teams of all time



In 1984 the University of Washington Huskies won every game but one, ranking second in national polls. For most coaches, such a season would be a career pinnacle. But for Don James second place motivated him to set aside what he knew about football and rethink the game. James made radical changes to his coaching philosophy, from recruitment to becoming one of the first college teams willing to blitz on any down and in any situation. His new approach initially failed, yet it finally culminated in one of the most explosive teams in college football history.

In Fear No Man, Mike Gastineau recounts the riveting story of Don James and the national championship team he built. Undefeated, the 1991 Huskies outscored opponents by an average of 31 points per game on their way to winning the Rose Bowl and a national championship. The team included twenty-five future NFL players, and in Gastineau’s gripping account they come alive with all the swagger and joy they brought to the game. A brilliant examination of one of college football’s greatest coaches and teams, Fear No Man is the inspirational story of an improbable journey that led to one classic and unforgettable season.

19.95 In Stock
Fear No Man: Don James, the '91 Huskies, and the Seven-Year Quest for a National Football Championship

Fear No Man: Don James, the '91 Huskies, and the Seven-Year Quest for a National Football Championship

Fear No Man: Don James, the '91 Huskies, and the Seven-Year Quest for a National Football Championship

Fear No Man: Don James, the '91 Huskies, and the Seven-Year Quest for a National Football Championship

Paperback

$19.95 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    In stock. Ships in 1-2 days.
  • PICK UP IN STORE

    Your local store may have stock of this item.

Related collections and offers


Overview

Finalist for the 2022 Washington State Book Award for General Nonfiction, sponsored by The Washington Center for the Book and the Seattle Public Library

The inside story of one of the most electrifying college football teams of all time



In 1984 the University of Washington Huskies won every game but one, ranking second in national polls. For most coaches, such a season would be a career pinnacle. But for Don James second place motivated him to set aside what he knew about football and rethink the game. James made radical changes to his coaching philosophy, from recruitment to becoming one of the first college teams willing to blitz on any down and in any situation. His new approach initially failed, yet it finally culminated in one of the most explosive teams in college football history.

In Fear No Man, Mike Gastineau recounts the riveting story of Don James and the national championship team he built. Undefeated, the 1991 Huskies outscored opponents by an average of 31 points per game on their way to winning the Rose Bowl and a national championship. The team included twenty-five future NFL players, and in Gastineau’s gripping account they come alive with all the swagger and joy they brought to the game. A brilliant examination of one of college football’s greatest coaches and teams, Fear No Man is the inspirational story of an improbable journey that led to one classic and unforgettable season.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780295751214
Publisher: University of Washington Press
Publication date: 08/09/2022
Pages: 272
Product dimensions: 5.60(w) x 8.70(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

Mike Gastineau has worked as a Seattle sports journalist in radio and print for three decades. His books include Sounders FC, Authentic Masterpiece: The Inside Story of the Best Franchise Launch in American Sports History and Mr. Townsend and the Polish Prince: An American Story of Race, Redemption, and Football.

Table of Contents

Foreword: The Legacy of Don James Nick Saban ix

Author's Note xiii

Preface xv

1 A Dark December 3

2 The Orange Bowl 7

3 The Recruiter 15

4 We Need to Get Gilby 23

5 Basketball on Grass 31

6 An Attacking Defense 38

7 1990 49

8 Winter, Spring, Disaster 62

9 Not Bad for a 60-Point Underdog 73

10 91 Y F Z Delay 82

11 Crush Their Souls 96

12 Brunell and Billy Joe 103

13 Close Call at Cal 112

14 You-fense and We-fense 120

15 Beating History 128

16 Hungrier Than Ever 136

17 The Apple Cup 144

18 The Weak Link 153

19 We Fear No Man 159

20 The Purple-Shirt Hurt 169

21 Champions 183

22 Team Perfection 191

23 History 199

Epilogue 204

Acknowledgments 209

1991 University of Washington Team Roster 213

What People are Saying About This

Jerry Brewer

"The passage of time has made the greatness of the 1991 Washington Huskies seem almost mystical, and it takes incredible effort to humanize them while also appreciating their criminally underrated significance to college football. Mike Gastineau accomplishes this difficult task and then some in a definitive account of these national champions. This book frames properly all the dimensions of Don James's masterpiece of a team."

Jen Cohen

"As someone who has been fortunate to grow up around the University of Washington, I can recall firsthand how special the ’91 season was. A team and staff led by Don James, an individual who had an incredible impact on me, put together one of the most notable seasons in Husky history that will be forever remembered on Montlake. This book tells that story."

Art Thiel

"Fans of the Don James era and anyone who loves college football are in for a gourmet feast. In meticulous yet breezy detail, Mike Gastineau recounts the greatest team in Washington Huskies football history. Never-before-told stories about the indomitable Steve Emtman, the irrepressible Billy Joe Hobert, and the savviness of coordinators Jim Lambright and Keith Gilbertson light up the drama of James's pinnacle achievement."

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews