Available to book
Jim Calhoun
Team Building
Transform your team into a national powerhouse with Jim Calhoun, speaker, legendary college basketball coach, and Hall of Famer.
Basketball
Author
Cancer Survivor
Jim Calhoun is a college basketball coach with a successful career. Calhoun attended American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he played basketball and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology in 1968. Calhoun began his coaching career at Old Lyme (Conn.) High School in 1968-69, followed by positions at Westport (Mass.) High and Dedham (Mass.) High. In 1972, he became the head coach at Northeastern University in Boston, leading the team to five NCAA Tournament appearances and a 311-183 record in BIG EAST competition over 14 seasons. In 1986, Calhoun joined the University of Connecticut (UConn) in Storrs, where he spent 26 seasons and achieved great success. Under his leadership, UConn won three NCAA Division I National Championships (1999, 2004, 2011), reached four Final Fours, and won seven Big East Conference tournament championships. Calhoun's overall record at UConn stands at 625-243, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005. After retiring from coaching in 2012, Calhoun returned to Connecticut in 2018 to become the first head coach of the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) men's basketball team. In his first three seasons, he led USJ to a Great Northeast Athletic Conference Championship and an NCAA Tournament berth. As of the 2021-22 season, Calhoun has a 44-17 record with the Blue Jays.
Topics, sessions and talks
Coach Jim Calhoun, one of the most successful coaches in college basketball history, shares his strategies and techniques for achieving personal and professional success. He emphasizes the importance of leaders becoming master motivators who prioritize team goals over individual interests. Calhoun drives organizations to establish a culture of excellence, focusing on planning, teamwork, overcoming adversity, flexibility, and learning from mistakes. Known for transforming average teams into powerhouses, Calhoun's passionate approach equips leaders with the tools to pave their own path to success. Attendees will learn how to inspire their teams and maintain a winning mindset.
Jim Calhoun covers basketball, teamwork, personal excellence, and leadership, drawing from his coaching legacy. Talks are personalized for your audience and event, offering sports insights.
Jim brings a wealth of experience from his illustrious career in college basketball, offering unparalleled insights into leadership, team building, and overcoming adversity. Booking him as a speaker provides your team or business with the unique opportunity to learn from a Hall of Famer who has consistently achieved success at the highest levels. His engaging storytelling and practical advice will inspire and motivate your group to strive for excellence.
15,000+ experts
People also viewed
Joe Gibbs
High Performance
Team Building
frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
Email jim.calhoun@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Jim's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
Jim Calhoun draws on his coaching career to frame leadership principles around team-building and performance culture, using his experience of transforming programmes at Northeastern and UConn as the basis for talks that are customised to the specific audience and event.
Jim Calhoun speaks on leadership principles, team culture and motivation, and overcoming adversity in business and sport. He led the University of Connecticut to three NCAA Division I National Championships and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005.
Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.
Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.
Before your speakers arrive, confirm AV is tested, a green room is ready, and printed schedules are on hand. Prepare warm introductions for each speaker and brief your team on timings. PepTalk speakers come fully briefed, making event-day logistics smoother and stress-free from the start.
A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.
Life happens! Most speaker bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker, but PepTalk handles all the details & contracts transparently upfront so there are no surprises. Our team supports you through any changes, making the process as smooth as possible.
Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.
When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.
When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.
Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.
Sorry, we do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, or any non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.
If you notice something that needs attention or have any queries regarding an expert speaker profile, please email us at experts@getapeptalk.com, and we’ll be happy to assist.
Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.
No problem! We often handle last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, comedian, awards or event host quickly — almost anywhere in the world. However, speaker availability might be limited as the event date approaches. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.
Get the right person
Tell us what you’re working on and we’ll match you with the talent your audience won’t stop talking about.
