John U. Bacon

Award-Winning Author, Historian, Educator

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John U. Bacon Biography

John U. Bacon has worked for nearly three decades as a writer, public speaker, college instructor, and hockey coach, with notable achievements in each field.

Earning an honors degree in history from the University of Michigan in 1986 and a Master’s in Education in 1994, Bacon began his career covering high school sports for The Ann Arbor News. He later became the Sunday sports feature writer for The Detroit News, winning multiple state and national awards. He has since freelanced for prominent publications including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Bacon has authored eleven books on various topics including sports, business, and history. Five of these titles, including "Let Them Lead: Unexpected Lessons in Leadership from America's Worst High School Hockey Team," "Endzone: The Rise, Fall, and Return of Michigan Football," and others have reached The New York Times bestsellers list.

Bacon delivers speeches across the United States and internationally, covering topics such as leadership, creativity, and diversity. In 2011, he was named “Speaker of the Year” by the Michigan Chapter of Meeting Planners International. Additionally, he provides weekly sports commentary on Michigan Radio and appears on national media outlets such as HBO, ESPN, and MSNBC.

Teaching at both Northwestern University and the University of Michigan, Bacon was honored with the Golden Apple award in 2009, recognizing him as a truly exceptional teacher. He also coached the Ann Arbor Huron high school hockey team, remarkably transforming its performance from the worst in school history to the best in just three seasons. This experience formed the basis for one of his New York Times best-selling books, "Let Them Lead." Bacon continues to influence and inspire through his diverse roles in education, writing, and public speaking.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 06/10/2024.

John U. Bacon Speaking Topics

  • The Timeless Fundamentals of Leadership

    John draws lessons from a variety of sources, his own experiences, and his best-selling book, Bo’s Lasting Lessons: The Legendary Coach Teaches the Timeless Fundamentals of Leadership, which Warren Buffett himself endorsed. John tells stories to underscore how great leaders listen, communicate, and make decisions. In this fast-moving and fun speech, John gives specific, direct advice leaders can use the next day. Bo Schembechler impersonation guaranteed.

  • Motivating Millennials

    Bacon derives the material for his talk on Generation Y from his experience leading the Ann Arbor Huron hockey team from the school's worst to best in three years (despite being the worst player in school history -• and he can prove that!) and teaching them at Northwestern and the University of Michigan, where he had received the highest evaluations on campus E (4.9/5.0) AND only SIX late papers out of 1700 students. Managing them should not be a mystery, and shouldn't be a headache. They unfairly get a bad rap, when the responsibility to lead them is our work.

  • How to Create Creativity - And Manage It

    Every company today must innovate to stay ahead of the pack. But how do you open the floodgates for creativity – and still make sure the trains run on time? John explains how some of our best organizations do it, and conducts several fun, fast-moving exercises of his own creation to make lasting points – points the participants can put to use immediately to be more creative, without losing the discipline necessary to be effective.

  • Hire Better, Fire Less

    In this popular presentation, John describes how the best companies – from Zingerman’s famed deli to the Michigan football team to Walgreens – spend a lot more time, effort and thought hiring their people, and much less dealing with mediocre performers, and firing them. John lays out a practical guide – supported by fascinating stories -• for searching, interviewing, “auditioning,” and ultimately hiring the right people.

  • Diversity for Fun and Profit

    In this frank and refreshing discussion, John challenges us to face our fears, shines a spotlight on what we need to understand about each other, and makes it clear why expanding opportunities to more people makes us stronger. John’s ideas on diversity come from his research and writing about sports, from Jackie Robinson to Title IX to the NFL's Rooney Rule, which requires all teams to interview at least one minority candidate for any head coaching vacancy. His speech is surprisingly, but appropriately, funny -• often at his own expense. The bottom line is simple, however: we don’t seek to diversify to be charitable, but to be more successful.

John U. Bacon Books

  • Endzone: The Rise, Fall, and Return of Michigan Football
    Endzone: The Rise, Fall, and Return of Michigan Football

FAQs on booking John U. Bacon

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  • What are the speaker fees for John U. Bacon

    Speaking fees for John U. Bacon, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book John U. Bacon are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire John U. Bacon, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does John U. Bacon speak about?

    John U. Bacon is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Authors, Culture, Football, Hockey, Human Resources, Journalism, Leadership, Sports, Sports Coaching, Teamwork & Teambuilding.
  • Where does John U. Bacon travel from?

    John U. Bacon generally travels from an undisclosed location, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like John U. Bacon for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book John U. Bacon for your next private or corporate function.
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John U. Bacon is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as The Timeless Fundamentals of Leadership, Motivating Millennials, How to Create Creativity - And Manage It, Hire Better, Fire Less and Diversity for Fun and Profit. The estimated speaking fee range to book John U. Bacon for your event is available upon request. John U. Bacon generally travels from and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Mike Ditka, Will Muschamp, Martin Rooney, Rick Pitino and Jimmy Johnson. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling John U. Bacon for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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