Josh Putnam was named the head coach of the Washington College sailing team in June 2009. In his first three seasons, Putnam guided WC to its third, fourth, and fifth consecutive appearances in the ICSA Co-Ed Dinghy National Semifinals. In 2011-12, he also guided the team to its first-ever berth in the ICSA Women's Dinghy National Semifinal. A 2005 graduate of The Citadel and accomplished sailor at the national and international level, he arrived at WC following a stint as an assistant coach at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL.

Putnam competed for The Citadel's intercollegiate sailing team for four years, serving as team captain. He has a long history of success in competitive sailing. In 2000, he was the JY 15 North American Champion and finished fifth in the United States Single-Handed Junior Championship the following year. Putnam has continued a successful sailing career following his collegiate competition and was a member of the United States Sailing Team in 2007, finishing fifth at the 2007 Pan American Games in the J-24 division. He has won several other J-24 events since 2006, including a World Championship Qualifier in 2007 and back-to-back wins at the St. Petersburg NOOD J-24 in 2006 and 2007.

During the 2008-09 academic year, Putnam served as an assistant coach at Eckerd. The Tritons finished 13th at the 2009 ICSA Women's Dinghy National Championships and 16th at the 2009 ICSA Co-Ed Dinghy National Championships. Putnam has also held several other coaching and sales positions in the sailing industry, including head coaching positions at sailing clubs in South Carolina and Georgia.

Putnam earned a B.S. in Health and Wellness from The Citadel in May 2005. He is the fifth different head coach of the Washington College sailing team since it was elevated to varsity status before the 1997-98 season.