Learn about what Joe Wolf brought to basketball and the legacy he left behind.
Coach Joe Wolf was born December 17, 1964 in Kohler, Wisconsin. He played 11 seasons in the NBA and had a 21 year coaching career. Wolf previously served as an assistant coach for the Wisconsin Herd, UNC Wilmington, Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, and William & Mary. He also served as the head coach of the Greensboro Swarm, Colorado 14ers, and Idaho Stampede.
In this article, you’ll learn about Joe Wolf’s coaching journey and the impact he made throughout his career as a player and a coach.
Kohler High School
Wolf played basketball at Kohler High School, where he led them to 3 Wisconsin state basketball championships. He was named Wisconsin’s Mr. Basketball in 1983.
In February 2005, Wolf was named Wisconsin’s all-time greatest high school basketball player based on his dominant four-year performance during his time at Kohler.
Joe’s brother, Jeff became the coach of the team in 2006.
North Carolina University (1983-1987)
Wolf played University of North Carolina, in his first year, he played alongside some elite company in Michael Jordan, Brad Daugherty, Sam Perkins, and Kenny Smith, who he was roommates with. In Wolf’s first season, the team were ACC regular season champions and reached the NCAA tournament, Sweet Sixteen.
Wolf reached the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament in all four years under coach Dean Smith. He earned the Carmichael-Cobb Award as UNC’s outstanding defensive player and the Jimmie Dempsey Award as UNC’s overall statistical leader as a senior in 1987. Finally, he was elected ACC First Team and ACC All-Tournament Team.
In his 4 years he played in 128 games, starting in 68 of them, averaging 9.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists.
NBA Playing Career
Los Angeles Clippers (1987-1990)
Wolf was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 13th overall pick in the 1st round of the 1987 NBA draft. In his rookie year, Wolf played in 42 games, started in 26 of them, and averaged 7.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.
In all 3 seasons Wolf was on the team, he was coached by Gene Shue. He also notably played with Norm Nixon, Larry Drew, Danny Manning, and Ron Harper.
It was later revealed that Michael Jordan wanted the Chicago Bulls to select Wolf with the 10th pick, however the Bulls drafted Horace Grant instead. Despite not playing with his former teammate in North Carolina, Grant went on to win 2 championships with Jordan.
Denver Nuggets (1990-1992)
Wolf joined the Denver Nuggets in 1990, coached by Paul Westhead. He averaged 7.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in his first season with the Nuggets.
In his second season, he played 67 games averaging 3.8 points and 3.6 rebounds.
Wolf notably played with the late Dikembe Mutombo.
Boston Celtics (1992)
Wolf signed with the Boston Celtics on October 2, 1992. Wolf only played 2 games with the Boston Celtics before being waived by the team on November 19, 1992.
Portland Trail Blazers (1992-1993)
On December 5, 1992, Wolf signed with the Portland Trail Blazers. He played 21 games and averaged 2.5 points and 2.1 rebounds.
The Blazers were eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round the playoffs in 4 games. Wolf notably played with Clyde Drexler, Buck Williams, Terry Porter, Mark Bryant, Kevin Duckworth, Mario Elie, and Rod Strickland.
Baloncesto León (1993-1994)
Wolf played a season with Baloncesto León, a basketball team in Spain. He averaged 10.2 points, 1 rebound, and 1.7 assists.
Charlotte Hornets (1994-1995)
Wolf signed with the Hornets in 1994, playing a total of 64 games, 1 as a starter.
He notably played with Dell Curry, Muggsy Bogues, Hersey Hawkins, Robert Parish, Alonzo Mourning, and Kenny Gattison.
He was waived by the team on November 6, 1995.
Orlando Magic (1995-1996)
On November 16, 1995, Wolf signed with the Orlando Magic for the remainder of the season. The Magic reached the eastern conference finals, losing to Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls in 4 games. In his only season, Wolf averaged 4.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1 assist.
He notably played with Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway, Nick Anderson, Horace Grant, Brian Shaw, Dennis Scott, Kenny Gattison, and Darrell Armstrong.
Milwaukee Bucks (1996-1997)
Wolf returned to Wisconsin and signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1995. He played in 56 games, starting in 7 of them. On June 25, 1997, Wolf was traded by Bucks along with Danny Fortson and Johnny Newman to the Denver Nuggets for Ervin Johnson.
He notably played with Ray Allen, Vin Baker, and Glenn Robinson.
Return to the Denver Nuggets (1997-1998)
After being traded to Denver, Wolf played in 57 games, starting in 8 of them. He was coached under Bill Hanzlik.
Return to the Charlotte Hornets (1999)
Wolf was signed by the Hornets on February 3, 1999, and was later waived on March 10, 1999, playing only 3 games. This would be the final team Wolf played for in his playing career before retiring.
Coaching Career
College of William & Mary (2003-2004)
After retiring, Wolf became an assistant coach for Tribe men’s basketball team under head coach Tony Shaver.
Idaho Stampede (2004-2006)
Wolf was named the head coach of the Idaho Stampede, a team in the Continental Basketball Association (Now known as the “Salt Lake City Stars, Utah Jazz G-League Affliate).
He finished his tenure with an overall coaching record of 48-48.
Colorado 14ers (2006-2008)
Wolf became the first head coach of the Colorado 14ers, now known as the “Texas Legends” of the G-League. In the team’s first season, they finished with a record of 28–22. The 14ers won the Western Division before losing the championship to the Dakota Wizards.
In Wolf’s second season, the team made it the playoffs as a “wild card”, however losing in the first round to the Los Angeles D-Fenders.
As of February 2025, he continues to hold the best winning percentage in team history with .570 and an overall record of 57-43.
Milwaukee Bucks (2008-2013)
Wolf became an assistant coach for his former team under Scott Skiles in 2008. He would remain with the team until 2013.
He notably coached Andrew Bogut, Richard Jefferson, Keith Bogans, Malik Allen, Ersan İlyasova, Jerry Stackhouse, Mike Dunleavy Jr, Beno Udrih, and Kwame Brown.
Ukraine National Team (2012-2013)
Coach Wolf was an assistant under Mike Fratello for Ukraine’s National men’s basketball team under Mike Fratello. The team finished in 6th place in 2013, their best result at EuroBasket at the time.
Brooklyn Nets (2014-2017)
Coach Wolf became an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets under Lionel Hollins, who was his fellow assistant in Milwaukee. In his first season, the Nets reached the Playoffs.
He notably coached Brook Lopez, Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Jarrett Jack, Bojan Bogdanović, and Wayne Ellington.
UNC Wilmington (2017-2018)
Wolf became an assistant coach of the UNC Wilmington’s Seahawks men’s basketball team under head coach C. B. McGrath in 2017. The team finished with a record of 11-21.
Notably on the roster was Devontae Cacok, who later won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
Greensboro Swarm (2018-2020)
Coach Wolf was named the second head coach of the Greensboro Swarm, the G-League affiliate of the Charlotte Hornets, owned by Michael Jordan at the time. He finished his tenure with an overall coaching record of 33-60.
Wolf notably coached Devonte’ Graham, Caleb Martin, Cody Martin, and Jalen McDaniels.
Wisconsin Herd (2023-2024)
Coach Wolf reunited with the Bucks organization by becoming the associate head coach for Beno Udrih’s staff with the Wisconsin Herd, the Bucks G-League affiliate.
This would be Wolf’s final coaching position before he passed away on September 26, 2024.
“It’s the most heartbreaking nerve-wracking non-sleeping nights and times that you can have but you do learn a lot you learn about the game you learn how to teach the game you learn how young players progress and develop and how you can help them with that.”
“I am very thankful that I was able to spend four years in the minor leagues as a head coach in GM because the time I spent there was invaluable.”
Joe Wolf was known for more than being one of the greatest Wisconsin basketball players, playing alongside Michael Jordan, and being a coach. Wolf was a son, a husband, a brother, a father, and an uncle who’s made just as big of an impact outside of basketball as he did within the basketball community.
Coach Wolf will forever be missed, and we thank him for 41 years of total service to the game of basketball including as a player and a coach.
Founder & Managing Editor of Behind the Coaching.