Wachenheim attended the United States Air Force Academy from 1980 to 1983 where he was a four-year starter on the football team. As an offensive lineman, Wachenheim garnered All-WAC honors in his senior season and was named as an honorable mention to All-America honors. During that season, the Falcons went 10–2 and were ranked second in the country in rushing offense. Wachenheim would earn a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Air Force in 1984, and became the offensive coordinator of the Air Force junior varsity football team as a graduate assistant before completing his obligatory military service.
Coaching career
After serving in the Air Force, Wachenheim returned to coaching, working as an offensive tackles and tight ends coach for the Utah State Aggies in 1992. In his second season, Wachenheim was part of the Aggies' 1993 Big West championship team that won the second edition of the Las Vegas Bowl with a win over Ball State. The following season, Wachenheim joined Rice University for twelve seasons, serving under head coach Ken Hatfield. He was the Owl's offensive line coach for the first seven of those years, and was then promoted to the role of offensive coordinator in 2001. Wachenheim then went on to serve as an offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Liberty University, a former Big South Conference rival of VMI. Prior to the 2007 season, Wachenheim was upgraded by head coach Danny Rocco to the title of assistant head coach, and the Flames subsequently won two consecutive Big South championships in 2007 and 2008. In 2009, Wachenheim briefly moved up to the NFL coaching ranks, serving as the tight ends coach for the Washington Redskins. Though the Redskins went 4–12 that season, Wachenheim did work in the development of tight end Fred Davis, a second round pick who caught 48 passes for 509 yards and six touchdowns. Wachenheim returned to college ball the following season, working with first-year head coach Mike London and his Virginia Cavaliers. Initially, Wachenheim coached tight ends the first season at Virginia, but was designated to coach the offensive line in 2011, a position he held for four years. Under Wachenheim's guidance, four Cavalier lineman made NFL rosters: Morgan Moses of the Redskins, Luke Bowanko and Austin Pasztor of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Oday Aboushi of the New York Jets. On December 14, 2014, it was announced by VMI athletic directorDave Diles that the school had hired Wachenheim as head football coach. Wachenheim became the Institute's 31st all-time head coach, replacing Sparky Woods, who, in seven seasons, compiled a 17–62 record with the Keydets.
Personal life
Wachenheim was born in Encino, California, and raised in nearby Woodland Hills, a suburb of Los Angeles. He is married to his wife, Karla, and the couple has two sons, Kyle and Tyson.
