Bo's Lasting Lessons: The Legendary Coach Teaches the Timeless Fundamentals of Leadership

This is a terrific book that captures the essence of what made Bo the ultimate Michigan man---clear goals, hard work, common sense, grace under pressure. John U Bacon has distilled Bo's lessons and turned them into more than the legacy of a great coach. These tried and tested principles can be applied to improve performance in so many areas: from developing great high school athletes to getting the most out of high-level business executives. Hey, you might learn a few lessons you can apply in your every-day life, like I did, reading this great book.

The fundamental principle that Bo Schembechler espouses is that you cannot lead if you do not care about your people or your product. Bo was more passionate about his people than his product...and he was incredibly passionate about both! This remarkable book is a testament to a truly remarkable man, and the results he got both on and off the field. This inspiring story of the poor kid from Barberton Ohio who through sheer grit and determination rises to the top of his profession, yet never loses sight of what really counts in life, is one that anyone can appreciate. His lasting legacy is the countless lives he has touched.

I barely knew Bo 20 years ago and this sounds more like him than anything that I've read. It was almost like he was reading it to you. I have an MBA and have worked in strategy consulting and most of Bo's Lasting Lessons: The Legendary Coach Teaches the Timeless Fundamentals of Leadershiphis lessons in leadership can be applied to business (and life).

I read this book in one day during a long car ride from Ann Arbor to Virginia. I'll admit that I am a Michigan alum from Bo's final coaching years. Since I read Blue Ice (which I also highly recommend), I expected a thorough and historically rich book from Mr. Bacon. This book is different - it is all Bo. I was pleasantly surprised at how Bo's personality came through SO RICHLY in this book. Somewhere in the first quarter, I remember realizing that the narrator in my head had become Bo. I'll also admit here that I shed a few tears while sitting in a nearly empty Cracker Barrel somewhere in Maryland at 9:30pm waiting for our late dinner and finishing the last few chapters. There's no way any person, U of M person or no, could read this book and not know and appreciate what Bo and his programs were all about - so much more than just football. I found out he was more of a hero than I knew, but also human. The classic Bo stories are all here (plus plenty of new ones), of course, - but this book gets you into the head of Bo like no other. The man was a throw-back to more principled times - leadership, honesty, respect, attention to detail, preparation, long-term vision, personal sacrifice for others. THE TEAM, THE TEAM, THE TEAM. His personal, quiet generosity was unbelievable. Standards and words to live by for anyone, sports fan or no. The tributes from friends at the end of the book just confirm the impact he had on so many. Reading it, I could easily imagine sitting in the room with Bo and Mr. Bacon during their collaboration; the gravelly voice, the chuckle, the occasional ribbing or profane reaction. One of those books that I didn't want to end. This will be required reading for my young kids someday. Mr. Bacon has done a great job - I'm sure that Bo would have loved the final version.

After Bo died, I thought I missed my chance to meet the man. Then, I read the book. I met Bo last week. He spoke to me about things I would never have thought to ask about. I laughed out loud. Then, I cried. It was a religious experience.