In the elegant lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Atlanta, fancy shoes hurry across marble floors. Men dressed in fine suits strut regally and unabashedly into elevators. Uniformed doormen stand in front of a large revolving door as they scurry to greet well-dressed guests with formal salutations. Suddenly, in strolls Coach Mike Woodson, whose head barely misses the top of the door. In his fingers a suit dangles from a wire hanger, and the coach is dressed as though he’s waiting for a pick-up game or perhaps ready to take on some yard work. Woodson admits he hates wearing suits. He greets his party in a slow thick baritone voice, “How’s everybody doin’?” Woodson’s entrance and demeanor embody exactly who he is and what he’s about. In a society of high-profile personalities, Woodson’s casual persona and ready-to-work attitude is the very foundation of his career and life.

    Woodson is the 10th Atlanta Hawks head coach since the franchise moved to the Atlanta area in 1968. After serving as assistant coach for the NBA World Champion Detroit Pistons, Woodson has been given the charge of turning around a struggling franchise. It’s a challenge the coach welcomes.

    Woodson’s father died of a massive heart attack when Woodson was only 12 years old. The young boy, the 11th of 12 children who loved hoops, was quickly indoctrinated into the working world. “I started working from the time I was in elementary school,” says Woodson. “I didn’t have a choice because I watched my mom somewhat suffer trying to take care of us. I worked as a janitor when I graduated from the eighth grade.” From that janitorial job, Woodson punched several other clocks; working at an apartment complex picking up trash and at a book warehouse. Even as a student athlete at Indiana University, Woodson held a job every year he was enrolled.

    After his father’s death, the family split up and Woodson went to live with an older sister, allowing his mother to make some much-needed financial changes. Shuffles and adjustments were a common act within the family. Woodson remembers that the family lived in various parts of Indianapolis in attempts to find the most suitable housing for such a large family. “There were times when we struggled to eat some nights, but we made ends meet. You know, our best meal in the house growing up was white beans and fried potatoes, and if we got some meat, it was pork chops and that was a beautiful meal. To this day, I still love my white beans. I’m strictly soul food.” Woodson loosens up and goes into storytelling mode after releasing a rhythmic lazy laugh. “Man listen...shoot. I have nine sisters, and they can all cook! So we go back to Indianapolis, and it’s ridiculous. I’m talkin’ about they lay a spread out on the table…and oh my goodness, it’s unbelievable.”

For the complete article pick up a copy of this month's Atlanta goodlife magazine.