John is a 1967 graduate of Grant High School in Fox Lake, Illinois. He was a four-year varsity starter, earning All-Conference each year. He finished 2nd in state at 133 his senior year. He was a four-year member of the Grant football and track teams. In 2014 John was inducted into the Grant High School Alumni Hall of Fame.

John worked as a laborer for four years following high school graduation. He began coaching at Grant his first year out of high school. In all, he coached 25 years at Grant, several years at Lakes and Grayslake Central High Schools along with many years at the middle school level. John has coached a total of 52 years.

John went to college for the first time for the 1972-1973 school years at the College of Lake County (CLC). He won the 1973 National Junior College Championship. John was inducted into the CLC Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.

Following his time at CLC, John attended the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and wrestled two years there. He transferred to Northern Illinois University to get his degree in 1979.

Upon his NIU graduation, John took a Physical Education teaching position in the Grayslake Elementary District where he taught for 32 years, retiring in 2011.

In 1978, John started the Fox Lake Wrestling Club along with friend Mike Patrick. He began several middle school wrestling programs including the Shady Lane/Stanton School program where his teams won the 1981 and 1995 IESA State Championships. Some of the top wrestlers he has coached include Jimmy Kennedy (2X State Champion, NCAA Division 1 All-American for Illinois), Daniel Dennis (3X All-State, Division I NCAA runner-up for Iowa, and Olympic team member), Lee Munster (3X State Champion), and Ryan Geist (All-State and long-time Grant Head Coach).

John had been an IHSA registered wrestling official for 54 years. In the 1980s he officiated club, middle school, high school, Junior College, and NCAA Division II meets. He also officiated 3 NCAA Division II National Championships.

Though officially retired, John is still involved in wrestling as a volunteer coach at Grayslake Central High School and Grayslake Middle School where he also substitute teaches. He continues to run lower level clinics in the Lake County area.

In 2018, John was inducted into the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association Hall of Fame.