Northern Michigan University announced this week that Josh Bouchard will join its women's basketball staff as an assistant coach, a move that underscores the program's ambition to sharpen its competitive edge ahead of the upcoming season.
Bouchard arrives with a résumé that spans multiple levels of collegiate basketball, most recently as an assistant at Alma College where he oversaw recruiting, directed JV operations and produced scouting reports that dissected opponents in the GLIAC.
Prior to Alma, he spent a formative year at the University of West Florida, serving as a graduate assistant and honing his focus on defensive schemes and the development of guard play, experiences that sharpened his tactical acumen.
His coaching trajectory began at Saginaw Valley State, where he started as a student assistant before rising to the role of assistant coach in 2021, laying a foundation in player development and program building.
Beyond the collegiate arena, Bouchard has also helmed the Michigan Mystics AAU program and guided Powers Catholic High School, while conducting clinics for Point Guard College and earning a Master’s degree in Physical Education from West Florida.
Strategic Fit for the Wildcats
Northern Michigan’s athletic director highlighted that Bouchard’s familiarity with the GLIAC and his proven recruiting network align perfectly with the Wildcats’ vision of sustained growth, noting that his defensive philosophy should translate into tighter, more disciplined play on the court.
Casey Thousand, the head coach of the women's program, expressed enthusiasm about integrating Bouchard’s expertise, emphasizing that the new staff member will help accelerate the team’s development and deepen its depth as the roster matures.
The hiring reflects a broader strategy to blend seasoned collegiate experience with fresh perspectives, a combination that could position NMU as a formidable contender within its conference and beyond.