Where Are They Now?
But prior to becoming a Gopher, Wohler led Bird Island-Lake Lillian high school to back to back football and basketball state championships and is only the third player in state history to be invited to play in three state all star games (baseball, basketball and football; Mauer is also one of the three).
Wohler’s high school success brought a unique recruiting battle, but not a battle fought between schools all over the country, but rather a recruiting battle between three coaches all located in Dinkytown. Wohler received scholarship offers from the Gopher football, basketball and baseball teams and ultimately signed with Joe Salem to play QB. However, an injury to a finger on his throwing hand, derailed those plans, much to the delight of basketball coach Jim Dutcher and first year baseball coach John Anderson.
Wohler’s high school team success spilled over to Gold Country as he was a member of the ’82 Gopher basketball conference title, ’82 baseball conference tournament title and ’83 baseball regular season title.
In August of 1983, Wohler signed a professional contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and began his ascension up the Dodgers’ minor league system, where he ultimately played Triple A baseball and was a member of the Albuquerque Dukes 1987 Pacific League championship team.
Wohler gave up his playing career and turned his focus to coaching basketball. After stints as an assistant coach at St. Cloud State and head coach at Bell Plain and Marshall high schools, Wohler got his chance to run his own collegiate program as head coach of Hamline University, a school he earned his master’s degree in education in 1999.
Wohler’s history of success is now rubbing off on the once historic Hamline Pipers program as he led the 2006 team to the programs first MIAC playoff appearance since 1994, and its first postseason win since 1985. Wohler has also reconnected with a couple of his Gopher basketball teammates as he has created a virtual ’82 Reunion Tour as Gary “œCookie” Holmes and Zebedee Howell have joined their fellow Gopher teammate on the Pipers coaching staff.
Wohler recently took time out of his busy season schedule to talk with GopherHole about his legendary high school career, life as a two sport Gopher athlete, the 1982 Big Ten Championship Reunion and his coaching career.
GH.com: After completing such a successful high school career, how did you decide which sport to play in college?
Coach Wohler: My first choice was football and I actually signed with Coach Salem and the Gopher football program. I guess for me, it wasn’t an issue of where I would go to school, it was more of what sport I was going to play. Growing up in Minnesota and following the Gophers as closely as I did, when the opportunity to become a Gopher was made I jumped at it. Then I broke a finger in my throwing hand and ended up switching my scholarship to basketball.
GH.com: Heading into the 1981-82 Gopher basketball season, did you guys know that you had a chance to be as good as you ended up?
Coach Wohler: That was my freshman season so for me it was a thrill to play with guys like Trent Tucker and Darryl Mitchell, who I watched through the years. I knew Randy Breuer and Jim Petersen from high school ball so I was just excited to be a part of that team. Heading into the season we knew we had a chance to be very good, but what made us a special team was how focused the seniors were. These guys worked very hard each and every day and provided great leadership.
GH.com: What games stick out during that season?
Coach Wohler: I think the two that stick out more than others were the Purdue and Iowa games where Darryl Mitchell calmly hit free throws in both games to win it at the line. Those were some pressure shots and he rose to the occasion.
GH.com: Which former Gopher teammates do you still keep in contact with?
Coach Wohler: It’s fun running into the guys. When you are on a team at a level like the Big Ten, there is always a special bond as you put in countless hours together, and to top it off we had some great successes. I still talk with Stu Starner, Jay Pivec, Coach Dutcher, Jim Petersen and I coach a youth team together, and of course Zebedee and Cookie both coach with me.
GH.com: What do Zeb and Cookie bring to your program?
Coach Wohler: They bring great recruiting and credibility. They can walk into a gym and have instant credibility and they both bring such tremendous knowledge and passion for the game. They are great representatives of Hamline University both on and off the court.
GH.com: Switching gears to baseball, you experienced some great success in your two years under Coach Anderson ““ what did you learn during those two years?
Coach Wohler: My freshman season at The U was also Coach Anderson’s first year as head coach of the Gophers. We had some very talented teams and I got to play with the Steinbach brothers, Greg Olson and many other great players. We won the conference tournament my freshman year and the regular season title my sophomore year. It was a great experience.
GH.com: How did your professional baseball career transpire?
Coach Wohler: I was drafted in the 14th round by the Dodgers and I signed with them after my sophomore year at The U. I played five years in the Dodgers’ minor league system and ultimately worked my way up to Triple A, and I was also invited to two major league spring training camps with the Dodgers. But after five years of living the minor league lifestyle with long bus rides and living out of a suitcase, I was ready to move on to the next phase in my life.
GH.com: Did you always want to get into coaching?
Coach Wohler: Yea, I knew I wanted to coach at an early age and I was fortunate to learn from some great leaders through the years.
GH.com: What did you learn from the Gopher basketball coaching staff?
Coach Wohler: Coach Dutcher was great at preparing us for an opponent. He watched so much game film and had us prepared for each and every opponent. Flip Saunders had a game day presence about him that was unique. He had an ability to make in-game adjustments very quickly, and Flip has a certain charisma and character that separates him from other coaches. And Jimmy Williams was an outstanding recruiter. He had a real passion for it. So I try to combine bits and pieces of these traits into my coaching style.
GH.com: What is recruiting like at the D3 level?
Coach Wohler: It’s much different than it is at the D1 or even D2 level. We have to cast a wider net as many kids will delay their decisions to see if they get interest or opportunities from programs at higher levels. We also don’t have dead periods like the D1 programs do so we are truly recruiting all year round.
GH.com: What is it about Hamline that attracted you to that job?
Coach Wohler: Hamline is an outstanding school for kids to get an education at, and for that reason it becomes an easy sell to high school kids and their families. Hamline has a very deep legacy and we play at one of the most historic basketball venues around. It’s really a great combination of academics and schools.
Editors note: for more information about Hamline University visit: http://www.hamline.edu/
For information on Coach Wohler and his Piper program, visit: http://www.hamline.edu/hamline_info/athletics/mens_basketball/mens_basketball_.html
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