John U. Bacon

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.