JOE KUHN

Head Basketball Coach Joliet Junior College

NJCAA Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, 2017

Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, 2015

Region IV Hall of Fame, 2013

2010 NJCAA National Champions

2010 National Coach of the Year

NJCAA Basketball Coaches Association Board of Directors, 1st Vice-President

Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Board of Directors

Region IV Division 3 Basketball Representative

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The 2019-20 season is Joe Kuhn's 23rd season as head coach at JJC. Kuhn has compiled an impressive list of accomplishments including being inducted into the NJCAA Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, class of 2017.  Kuhn, who is in his 31st season coaching, has led the Wolves to the 2010 NJCAA national championship, seven N4C conference championships, six trips to the national tournament including three national championship appearances, and four final fours. Kuhn, the 2010 NJCAA National Coach of the Year, has amassed an overall JJC record of 485-235 and 509 career wins. He is currently second on the JJC career wins list behind A.A. Fizz Wills.

JJC has won at least 20 games 14 of the last 16 seasons and 15 times in Kuhn's tenure. Kuhn, who has been named District 2 Coach of the Year 6 times, has led the Wolves to the national tournament 6 times (2011, 2010, 2008, 2005, 2004, 1998). Kuhn has coached 16 All-Americans, seven N4C conference players of the year, and 38 all-region players at JJC. The Wolves have played in the region championship game 18 of his 22 seasons including 15 in a row, and have won 7 conference crowns (2013, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2004, 2003, 2001). Coach Kuhn also has been inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame class of 2015 and the Region IV Hall of Fame in 2013.  

Under the direction of Joe Kuhn, the Wolves claimed the 2010 NJCAA Division III National Championship in Delhi, NY with a 94-82 victory over Rochester Community Technical College. JJC used an explosive second half to capture the championship. Trailing 58-50 with 13:24 remaining in the game, the Wolves went on a 21-4 run to take control of the game. Kuhn was named the NJCAA Division III National Coach of the Year and Brian Bradley National Player of the Year.  JJC advanced to the national tournament by defeating Milwaukee Area Technical College 84-70 to claim the Region IV crown. The Wolves, who won the N4C conference title, finished with a record of 30-5 which ties a school record previously set under Kuhn in the 2003-04 campaign.

JJC advanced to the national championship game two other times under Kuhn. The 2007-08 Wolves finished as the NJCAA national runner-up, falling to North Lake from Dallas, TX in the championship game. In 2004-05, Kuhn and the Wolves advanced to the national championship game. JJC owned a one-point lead late in the title game but a three-pointer in the closing seconds by Hostos Community College (NY) finished the scoring. The Wolves had a chance to tie on a last-second shot but it fell just short as they finished the season as the national runner-up, falling 73-71.  The Wolves set several school records, including wins in a season (30), 20 wins in a row, and an undefeated conference season. They won the Region IV championship with an amazing come from behind overtime win over Harper College. The Wolves, who trailed by 16 points with seven minutes left, put on a furious rally to claim the region championship to advance to the national tournament. JJC was rated as high as third in the NJCAA national polls. 

In his initial campaign as head coach (1997-98), Kuhn’s Wolves won 10 of their last 12 games to advance to the 1998 Division III national tournament in Delhi, N.Y. and finished third place overall. JJC defeated Rock Valley for the Region IV title and then Hazzard, KY in overtime to advance to the national tournament.

Kuhn, who currently serves as the First Vice-President for the NJCAA Basketball Coaches Association, is also the Region IV Division 3 Basketball Representative and is on the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Board of Directors.

Kuhn served as an assistant coach to Pat Klingler at JJC during the 1992-93 season. That year the Wolves advanced to the NJCAA Division II nationals in Delta, MI, finished with a mark of 30-6, and won the North Central Community College (N4C) championship.

Before accepting the coaching position at JJC, Kuhn was the head coach at Rich East High School for three seasons where he currently teaches Physical Education.

Kuhn was an assistant coach for Pat Sullivan at the University of St. Francis for two seasons (1990-92) before taking the assistant coaching position at JJC.

Prior to coaching at USF, Kuhn was a teacher and assistant coach for both basketball and baseball at Thornwood High School in South Holland, IL.   Kuhn received his Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education from Chicago State University and earned Masters Degrees in Curriculum and Instruction from National-Louis University and Educational Leadership from American College of Education.

Joe Kuhn Accomplishments

Overall Record  22 Seasons at Joliet J.C.:  485-235 (Career Wins 509)

National Tournament Appearances: 6 as Head Coach, 7 total

National Championship: 2010

National Runner Up: 2008, 2005

All Americans: 16

National Player of the Year: 1

All-Region Players: 38

Notable School Records: Region Championship Appearances in a Row (15), Wins in a season (30, 3 times), Wins in a row (21)

Region IV Championship Appearances: 18

Conference Players of the Year: 7

Notable Wins vs NJCAA Division 1 Schools:  2010 at Arizona Western, 2003 at Central Florida, 2003 vs. St. Johns River

Joe Kuhn Coach of Year Awards

• National Coach of the Year, 2010

• Gary Cole National Tournament Coach, 2010

• District 2 Coach of the Year 2011, 2010, 2008, 2005, 2004, 1998

• Region IV Coach of the Year 2018, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2005, 2004, 1998

• North Central Community College Conference 2016, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2004, 2003

• Illinois Basketball Coaches Association 2011, 2010, 2008, 2005, 2004, 1998

• Indiana Basketball News 2006

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