He also had a standout college basketball career as a player, earning All-American status in 1916.

While playing for Washington State, Bohler – a 5'11" center – led the Cougars to an NCAA national championship in 1916–17 while playing under head coach Fred Bohler, his older brother.

His football stints include being the head coach at Willamette, Beloit, and Chico State.

He resigned in March 1929 because he disagreed with providing student-athletes with scholarship money, an opinion that began gaining support among Beloit's officials during his time as athletic director.

His longest tenure for any team, however, was as the head baseball coach for Chico State, a position he held for 17 seasons.