After a ten-year playing career with the Footscray Football Club, beginning in 1974 and including 157 VFL games, Wheeler coached in Victoria's VFA competition winning a premiership in 1986 and finishing runner-up in two other seasons. In 1989 he returned to the Bulldogs to become assistant coach under current Collingwood coach, Mick Malthouse, and stepped up to the senior position when Malthouse accepted the coaching position with the West Coast Eagles the following year.

A preliminary final berth, coupled with Wheeler being named the AFL's All-Australian coach in 1992 was the highlight season in a 91 game coaching career.

A former secondary school physical education teacher and university department head, Wheeler has brought coaching and teaching together within the AIS/AFL Academy since his appointment in January 2000.