He began his coaching career at Berne High School, Indiana, as the basketball and baseball coach. He also taught U.S. History, Health, P.E., and headed up the town's recreation program. After three years, he accepted the position of Athletic Director at the King's College, in Delaware (later New York), where he also coached soccer, basketball, and baseball from 1955 to 1974. In 1975, he accepted the position of Athletic Director and Coach at Montreat College where he remained for the next eight years.
Along the way, Coach Wilhelmi did a lot of "founding":
- The King's Tournament (New York)
- The East Coast Christian College Basketball and Sports Tournament (37 years)
- The National Christian College Physical Education Association (5 years)
- The Christian College Baseball Tournament (Florida, 28 years)
- The National Christian College Athletic Association (since 1967)
Finally, he has also run basball clincs and tournaments in Germany.
He is the author of the only book written on the "bench", The Sweet Smell of Pine. He has also received a silver medal for badminton at the Senior Olympics in Tucson, Arizona.
Norm and his wife, the former Eunice Mae Berg, have fve grown children and several grandchildren. They are currently living in Montreat and remain big supporters of Cavalier Athletics.