TJ Buchholz joined the UCR Women's Soccer Coaching Staff on June 1, 2010 coming to the Highlanders following successful head coaching stints at Wartburg College and Northwestern (IA) College.
During his time at Wartburg, Buchholz served as the head men’s and women’s coach for the Knights. He guided the men’s program to their sixth and seventh consecutive NCAA Division III Men’s National Tournament appearances and back-to-back Iowa Conference tournament titles in 2008 and 2009. He also led the women’s team to its first-ever IIAC title in 2008.
Prior to arriving at Wartburg, Buchholz was at the helm of the men’s soccer program at his alma mater, Northwestern College, from 2001-2007. During his tenure, the Red Raiders produced four of the program’s most successful men’s seasons in school history with 10 or more wins in each of the 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007 campaigns.
Buchholz is the winningest coach in Northwestern’s men’s soccer history with an overall record of 68-59-5. He guided the program to a Great Plains Athletic Conference championship in 2004 and an NAIA Region II Tournament Title and National Tournament berth in 2007.
Before serving his alma mater as head coach, Buchholz was Northwestern’s assistant men’s soccer coach in 2000 under Head Coach Steve Walhof.
Buchholz graduated from Northwestern College in 1999 with a bachelor of arts in sociology and criminal justice. He was a member of the soccer team from 1995-98, earning All-Conference honors and the team’s Defensive Player of the Year award as a senior.
Buchholz is a 1995 graduate of Aquinas High School in San Bernardino, CA, where he also lettered in basketball for two years.
Buchholz earned a master’s degree in sports management from California University of Pennsylvania in 2008. He is a member of the NSCAA and enjoys watching sports and movies, as well as listening and watching live music.
He and his wife, Candace, have two daughters, Chloe (2) and Season (5).
