Meet Our Coaches
Our YMCA basketball coaches are not just experts in the game, but also mentors who instill a love for the sport along with invaluable life skills in every player. Whether it's perfecting shooting techniques, honing teamwork, or building self-confidence, McGaw YMCA coaches are here to guide, inspire, and make every dribble count.
Francisco Morales
About Coach Francisco: Francisco serves as the McGaw YMCA Sports and Courts Manager, captaining the team in furthering his lifelong passion for sports. Francisco is a firm believer in the power of sports to shape and save lives. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Francisco’s resume extends over 25 years as a player and coach. He played basketball into college until a kidney disease and transplant diverted his track to giving back to the sport through coaching. Francisco was named as the first-ever director of the Puerto Rican Professional Athletes Movement, a non-profit serving schools with free sports clinics and motivational speeches. From this success, he became the youngest Director of Recreation and Sports for the Puerto Rican government. Upon relocating to the Chicagoland area, he helped run local Little Leagues and basketball leagues. Francisco is excited to re-commit his career full-time to his greatest passion of serving youth through fun, fundamental sports programming.
Coaching style/philosophy: My coaching style emphasizes lifelong learning through sports. I focus on teamwork, leadership and progressive skill development to help youth become better players, but most importantly, stronger and more confident leaders in their personal lives and aspirations.
“My passion for basketball stems from…” Basketball has been my comfort zone since age 5. Having chronic kidney disease at a young age, enduring 15 surgeries and developing a speech impediment, I was constantly bullied. My doctor recommended to my parents that I play a sport. Basketball became my best friend in the worst moments of my life. Thanks to basketball, I have accomplished everything I have today!
Why I choose the Y? I serve as a YMCA leader in order to give back to the organization that was a safe place for me when I was younger. It is my goal to be a mentor and leader to the community youth that we serve in the same way the Y was for me when I was a youth.
Favorite player: Vince Carter
Favorite team: Puerto Rican National Team
Hobbies: spending time with family, video games, DC comics, watching sports and going to the movies
Fun fact: My biography is in a history book.
Steve Bollinger
About Coach Steve: Sports have always been a major part of my life. Having an older brother, I was always the smallest kid playing with the bigger kids. We played baseball, football, and basketball depending on the season. I also played golf through high school and college and currently play competitively across the Midwest. I went to college at Eastern Illinois University and then attended the University of Chicago, where I received my master’s degree in social work. Currently, I work as a supervisor of a grant program at the Community Counseling Center of Chicago, focusing on youth mental health. I am very excited to engage kids in this great game and increase their skills, but more importantly, create an environment where kids build confidence and have fun together.
Coaching style/philosophy: A coach has a responsibility to teach in a manner that creates a positive impact on each individual that is a part of the team. This is done by creating a team environment where everyone feels they have a role regardless of their direct impact on the game. This is to say that no individual is bigger than the team.
“My passion for basketball stems from…” Having a rim in my backyard where everyone in the neighborhood gathered and competed.
Why I choose the Y? The YMCA in any community represents a safe place for all. Coming from a social work background and working with families in difficult environments, the YMCA is always a positive resource for families. I am very excited to be a part of the YMCA team and cannot wait to get started.
Favorite player: Steph Curry (current), Michael Jordan (all-time)
Favorite team: Chicago Bulls
Hobbies: golf, basketball, staying fit
Fun fact: As a kid, I played for a program called Junior Pros, where we performed basketball skills and fun tricks during halftime at college arenas.
Vachel White
About Coach V: I was always an athlete, whether it was playing in 3on3 basketball tournaments outside or traveling the state to play in softball tournaments. My love and commitment to basketball allowed me to earn a basketball scholarship to college. Since college, I have had lots of opportunities to work with kids on their basketball skills through Jr NBA, AAU, and at the IHSA levels.
Coaching style/philosophy: My coaching philosophy is to teach each player the importance of positive attitude and confidence, as well as to ensure each player’s basketball skills are developed while we have fun.
“My passion for basketball stems from…” My passion for basketball stems from my past abilities to play basketball, but now I enjoy being in the gym with kids teaching them the basics of the game.
Why I choose the Y? I work for the YMCA, because for years, they have helped families.
Favorite player: Steph Curry
Favorite team: Chicago Bulls
Hobbies: hiking, playing softball and anything related to basketball
Fun fact: I am committed to early childhood car seat/transportation safety.