Joe Buhlman joined the McKendree University Men’s Basketball staff in 2025 as a Graduate Assistant, bringing with him a wide-ranging background in coaching, player development, operations, and leadership across multiple levels of the game.
Prior to McKendree, Buhlman served as head coach at Beach Basketball in Los Angeles, where he led teams ages 12–16 to notable success. His teams captured wins at high-level events such as Made Hoops and defeated multiple teams from the UA and PUMA circuits. Renowned for instilling a culture of accountability, Buhlman emphasized not just athletic excellence, but academic and personal growth among his players. His coaching excellence earned him a spot on staff at the prestigious Pangos All-American Camp in Las Vegas, where he coached multiple 4- and 5-star recruits.
Buhlman's collegiate experience includes time at Pepperdine University, where he contributed to both the men’s and women’s basketball programs. As a two-year manager for the Waves' men's team, he supported practice preparation and day-to-day operations in the highly competitive West Coast Conference. Additionally, he served as a practice player for the women’s team, providing high-level competition and gaining in-depth knowledge of Division I systems and strategies.
Beyond the college scene, Buhlman worked with West Coast Elite/All in Elite, one of the top grassroots basketball programs in the nation. There, he specialized in social media outreach and brand development, helping connect with dozens of prospective student-athletes each week.
Buhlman’s player development expertise was also honed at the Ultimate Fieldhouse in Walnut Creek, California, where he coached using Shoot360's cutting-edge technology. He further contributed to youth development through roles with Excel in Basketball Camps, NextLevel Basketball, and De La Salle High School’s summer programs. As a senior at De La Salle, he captained the varsity team to the 2020 North Coast Section Division I Championship and was honored with the Spartan Award for leadership and embodying the program’s values.
Academically, Buhlman holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sport Administration from Pepperdine University (2024) and a Master of Science in Business from Pepperdine’s Graziadio Business School (2025). He is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Performance Psychology & Leadership at McKendree University, aligning his academic and professional pursuits to optimize athlete performance and team dynamics.
With a proven record in player development, relationship-building, and basketball operations, Buhlman is committed to fostering McKendree’s culture of excellence both on and off the court.
Last Updated on 10/24/25
