Former head coach and current president of the Miami Heat, Pat Riley is one of basketball's most brilliant personalities. As head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, he piloted the team to four world championships.

In New York, he led the Knicks to their first NBA Finals in more than two decades. And his career record of 701-272, equates to the best regular season winning percentage (.720) of any coach in NBA history. Riley's success in sports has carried over to the world of business where he has earned the reputation as "America's Greatest Motivational Speaker." Speaking before audiences across the nation, Riley shares his philosophy for winning, leadership, mastery, change, personal growth, and teamwork.

He recently hosted an HBO special entitled American Coaches, Men of Vision and Victory. Success magazine rated him "Best in the Field" for his speaking ability.

Though he could have played football for the famous Bear Bryant in Alabama, Riley instead was taken under the wing of another legendary coach, Adolph Rupp, at the University of Kentucky. A three-time team MVP, Riley and the Wildcats went as far as the NCAA finals, losing to Texas Western in 1966.

Upon graduation, Riley was drafted by both the NFL and the NBA.

In the 1972 campaign with the Lakers, Riley and his team won 33 consecutive games and took home the NBA championship. His playing career ended in 1976, with the Phoenix Suns.

Though he was no longer an active participant in the sport, Riley maintained a strong love for basketball. Coaching was in his blood, and he instantly gravitated toward it.

Paul Westhead, head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, brought Riley in as assistant coach in 1980. The team had a great season, and Riley gained much experience as the team took home the championship once again.

The 1981-1982 season started off badly for the Lakers, and before they could slide even further, management fired Westhead and promoted Riley to head coach after 11 games. This was his golden opportunity -- the team boasted a young Magic Johnson, as well as the peerless Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

With intensity and confidence, Riley instilled in his players the belief that they could win, and they did just that, becoming world champs once again.

Showtime had arrived in L.A., and a rivalry between the Lakers and Celtics, led by Larry Bird, soon developed. They battled throughout the 1980s, arguably the NBA's heyday, and Riley was hailed as a legend after his nine seasons on the West Coast.

He added three more championships in '85, '87 and '89. In each season, he won the division title, and, in 1990, he was voted the NBA's Coach of the Year.

With accolades such as these, the New York Knicks did not hesitate to sign Riley for the 1991 season. He rejuvenated the franchise, bringing a winning attitude, which translated into a NBA Finals appearance in 1994. He received Coach of the Year honors again in 1993, and revived the franchise in his four seasons with the team.

Much hope surrounded South Florida after Riley announced he would be taking over as President and Head Coach of the Miami Heat in 1995. Once again, his goal was to revamp a losing team and, with time, he did just that.

With his wife Chris, he has contributed to community outreach centers, AIDS charities and the YMCA. He is also the author of two books, "Showtime: Inside The Lakers' Breakthrough Season" and "The Winner Within: A Life Plan for Team Players," and has made a 30-minute motivational video entitled Teamwork. A real motivator and great speaker, "Success" magazine hailed him "the best in his field." Riley is simply the best.