He attended William Jewell College for two years before transferring to Central Missouri State, graduating in 1941 with a Bachelor of Science in education.

[3] John moved from Moberly to Drake University of the Missouri Valley Conference in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1958.

The Bulldogs then defeated Colorado State 84–77 to win the Midwest Region and advance to the Final Four.

[7] In the 1969 Final Four, Drake lost to Alcindor and Coach John Wooden's UCLA dynasty squad 85–82 on March 20, 1969, in the National Semi–Final.

Drake, down 41–39 at halftime was close with the #1 ranked team the entire game, behind 24 points from Willie McCarter, 13 points with 16 rebounds from Willie Wise, a famous block of an Alcinder shot by Rick Wanamaker and strong defense by Dolph Pulliam.

[7][6][8][9] The Los Angeles Times gave an account of the closing moments: "Late in the game, UCLA led by three, but Drake had the ball and the momentum.

Guard Willie McCarter put up a jumper from the left corner that ricocheted around the rim before falling into the hands of Drake forward Dolph Pulliam, who went straight back up with it.

"[10] After the game, when asked what was the matter with UCLA, John Wooden replied simply, "Drake.

"[10] In the 1969 3rd Place Game, the Bulldogs continued their strong play as they defeated Coach Dean Smith's ACC Champion North Carolina Tar Heels, with Charlie Scott convincingly, 104–84, behind 28 points from Willie McCarter.

[7] John proceeded to lead Drake to the 1970 and 1971 NCAA Tournaments as well, and both times led the Bulldogs to the Elite Eight.

In the 1970 NCAA tournament, Drake (22–7) defeated Coach Guy Lewis and Houston, with Dwight Davis, 92–87, before losing to New Mexico State 87–78 in the Midwest Regional Final.

[11] In the 1971 NCAA tournament, Drake (21–8) defeated Notre Dame with Austin Carr 79–72 in overtime, then lost to Kansas 73–71 in the Midwest Regional Final.

[12] "I'm sure some of the fans never understood the reasons why he left, or tolerated them," said Paul Morrison, who was Drake's sports information director and business manager during John's tenure.

Iowa States' Hilton Coliseum was ready to open and John had tired of scheduling conflicts with Veterans Memorial Auditorium, having longed for a campus facility at Drake.

On Dec. 2, 1971, John coached ISU to a 71–54 victory over Arizona in the first game played at Hilton Coliseum.

John's final game as head coach was played in Des Moines against Drake, and was the first loss of his third season, 61–60.

Two months later, on the day Iowa State team lost at Drake, John was told he had an inoperable malignant tumor at the base of his esophagus.

I owe basically what I am today because of Maurice John and Drake.”[16] A documentary on the 1968–69 Drake Basketball team was made in 2004 by filmmaker Jacob Adams of Impossible Productions and is available from his website.