[1] Oldham interrupted his studies at Western Kentucky University (WKU) to serve in the US Navy during World War II.

In 1955 he became coach of the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles men's basketball and led the team to three conference championships.

He returned to WKU in 1964 to coach the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers basketball team, leading them to four NCAA tournaments, one NIT, and winning four Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) championships.

Oldham came to Western Kentucky University in 1942 after earning All-State honors at Hartford High School.

[3] Oldham was hired to coach Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles men's basketball in 1955.

[5] Their third-place finish was later vacated by the NCAA due to allegations that one of their players, Jim McDaniels, had signed a professional contract prior to the end of the season.

He oversaw the football program upgrading from NCAA Division 2 to Division 1AA in 1978, the school leaving the OVC and joining the Sun Belt Conference in 1982, and the Western Kentucky Lady Toppers basketball team becoming one of the top programs in the country.

[3] In 1991 Oldham was elected to the Bowling Green City Commission and was re-elected twice, serving as Commissioner through December 1998.