51+ 'Coach Carter' Quotes From The Inspirational Basketball Movie

Srija Chanda
Dec 12, 2023 By Srija Chanda
Originally Published on Mar 12, 2021
Edited by Jacob Fitzbright
Basketball on hoop and lighting from roof stadium
Age: 0-99
Read time: 7.6 Min

'Coach Carter', the 2005 film, is based on Ken Carter's true story, the basketball coach of Richmond High School.

'Coach Carter', as a movie, narrates the story of a high school and the changes made by a coach for the good. Samuel L. Jackson plays coach Ken Carter with his energetic and silly persona.

Fans look up to 'Coach Carter' as the cult classic sports film that reintroduces the story of underdogs taking away the prize. The movie features 'Our Deepest Fear', the poem by Marianne Williamson, recited by Timo Cruz. Quotations from 'Coach Carter' make you think about the capabilities hidden inside you. Keep reading to check out the best 'Coach Carter' quotes that will rejuvenate your love for the film.

If you like the Coach Carter quotes, check out Samuel L Jackson quotes and Remember the Titans quotes for a similar flavor.

Catchphrases And Inspiring Quotes From 'Coach Carter'

Scoring the winning points at a basketball game

Here are some Coach Carter inspirational quotes that will help to realize your hidden potential. Here you also get the poem recited by Timo in response to Coach Carter's question of “What is your deepest fear Mr Cruz?”, the poem is originally written by Marianne Williamson.

1. “I came to coach basketball players, and you became students. l came to teach boys, and you became men.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

2. “If you vote to end the lockout, you won’t have to terminate me. I’ll quit.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

3. “If you listen and learn, you will win basketball games. And gentlemen, winning in here is the key to winning out there.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

4. “The board sent the message loud and clear. Winning basketball games is more important than graduating from high school and going to college. I’m sorry, I just can’t support that message.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

5. “We control the tempo of the game. We make them play Richmond Oiler ball.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

6. “When we step on the floor every second that clock is ticking, we are pedal to the metal.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

7. “Starting today, you will play like winners, act like winners, and most importantly, you will be winners.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

8. “You have achieved something that some people spend their whole lives trying to find. What you achieved is that ever-elusive victory within.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

9. “You men played like champions. You never gave up. And champions, they hold their heads high.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

10. “Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.  

11. “We treat ourselves with respect.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.  

12. “Push it!”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.  

13. “What is your deepest fear Mr Cruz, that you are inadequate?”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

14. “Then I guess we’ll have new leading scorers this season, huh?”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.  

15. “Let me hear you!”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.  

16. “That’s me, baby. That’s me. I did that.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.  

17. “Since when is winning not enough? Playing hard not enough?”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.  

18. “So? You can’t show some class? Act like a champion?”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

19. “You’re saying it’s cool. Well, it’s not cool!”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

20. “Know that you’re not just walking out on me. You’re walking out on them.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

21. “Now, I want you to go home and look at your lives tonight and look at your parents’ lives and ask yourself, ‘Do I want better?’ If the answer is yes, I will see you here tomorrow.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

22. “And, I promise you, I will do everything in my power to get you to college and a better life.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

23. “If you endorse the fact that fifteen, sixteen, seventeen year-old boys cannot honor the simple rules of a basketball contract, how long do you think it’ll be before they’re out there breaking laws?”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

24. “Some of my teammates went to prison. Some of them ended up dead. I took this job because I wanted to effect change in a special group of young men, and this is the only way that I know how to do that.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

25. “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. ... And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

‒ Timo Cruz.

26. “Sir, I just wanna say thank you. You saved my life.”

‒ Timo Cruz.

'Coach Carter' Movie Quotes About Basketball

'Coach Carter' movie quotations bring inspiration to basketball players as well as to those who love the game. It opens our eyes to the deepest fear that most people have of failing. Here are some basketball quotes from the brilliant movie.

27. “Timo Cruz: Teacher’s ain’t supposed to touch students.

Coach Carter: I’m not a teacher. I’m the new basketball coach.”

‒ 'Coach Carter'.

28. “Push the ball, go hard to the hole.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

29. “You owe me 2500 pushups and 1000 suicides before you can play. Oh, and they must be completed by Friday.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

30. “And, basketball is a privilege ma’am.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

31. “And, you’ll earn every minute of playing time.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

32. “Everything I knew about basketball, I learnt from women.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

33. “You shooting the ball, what's your name?”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

34. “If you don’t perform in the classroom, you will not play.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

35. “And, your job is to educate these kids. I suggest you start doing yours.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.  

36. “LeBron James? I am the only Ty Crane.”

‒ Ty Crane.

37. “You said we're a team. One person struggles, we all struggle. One person triumphs, we all triumph.”

‒ Jason Lyle.

38. “We have failed. We have failed each other.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.  

39. “Gentlemen, we’ve reached that goal. Let’s play ball.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

40. “ You really need to consider the message you're sending these boys by ending the lockout. It's the same message that we as a culture send to our professional athletes; and that is that they are above the law.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

Funny Quotes From 'Coach Carter'

Even though seriousness prevails all throughout the movie, 'Coach Carter' there are times when you can help but laugh out loud at some of the comments.

41. “No, man, it’s just funny dog, because, Junior man, I mean you thought it was bad all us knew you was failing science, Now the whole world is about to know you’re science.”

‒ Worm.

42. “You gave such a good answer and gave the coach attitude, you win the bonus prize of 500 pushups! Would you like to go for the grand prize of 1000?”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

43. “Not quite your storybook ending, huh?”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

44. “Oh, yes, sir. She was steaming hot. But, she was the devil. That girl was evil.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

45. “You know, I need variety in my life, I can’t just have one girl.”

‒ Worm.

46. “There’s a Goodwill and a Salvation Army store less than two blocks from here. They got a box full of ties for fifty cents a piece.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

47. “Junior Battle is like a solar eclipse. We rarely see him, but when we do, it’s always special.”

‒ Mr. Gesek.

Quotes About The Community

'Coach Carter', as a movie plays an important role in portraying the problems that the African-American community has to face, here are some quotes to prove it.

48. “You painted an extreme picture. No one expects them to graduate, no one expects them to go to college.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

49. “I see a system that’s designed for you to fail.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

50. “Richmond High only graduates fifty percent of the students. And of those that do graduate only six percent go to college. Which tells me, when I walk down those halls and I look in your classrooms maybe only one student is going to go to college.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

51. “And the answer for young African-American men here is this: probably to prison.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

52. “In this country 33% of black males between eighteen and twenty-four get arrested.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

53. “Growing up here in Richmond, you’re 80% more likely to go to prison than college.”

‒ Coach Ken Carter.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 'Coach Carter' quotes then why not take a look at NBA quotes, or 'Bring It On' quotes.

We Want Your Photos!
We Want Your Photos!

We Want Your Photos!

Do you have a photo you are happy to share that would improve this article?
Email your photos

More for You

See All

Written by Srija Chanda

Master of Arts specializing in Mass Communication/Media Studies

Srija Chanda picture

Srija ChandaMaster of Arts specializing in Mass Communication/Media Studies

An aspiring media professional, Srija is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Mass Communication at St. Xavier's University, Kolkata, after completing her degree in journalism. With experience in PR and social media, she has also honed her leadership skills through her participation in a youth parliament. Srija's interests include devouring books, watching movies, and exploring new places through travel.

Read full bio >