Obukhov was born in Moscow. He graduated from the Regional Pedagogical Institute in Moscow in 1959. He started his career as coach with the Soviet Union national under-18 team in 1968 and was coach of the team until 1989. In 1972 Obuchov became assistant coach at MBC Dynamo Moscow. The team twice won third place in the USSR Premier Basketball League (1975 and 1976). In 1985 Obukhov became coach of the Soviet Union men's national basketball team. With the team he won gold at EuroBasket 1985. In 1986 he won the silver medal at 1986 FIBA World Championship.