Meet OTE's  USA Basketball gold certified coaching staff... 

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Years with OTE: Owner and Coach since 2003

Basketball Coaching experience outside of OTE: Girls varsity head coach at Resurrection College Prep High School, 2009-2017; boys varsity head coach at Northside College Prep High School, 2008-09; Loyola Academy girls basketball head freshman coach, 2003–08 and assistant JV coach, 2000-03; Dick Baumgartner Shooting Camp, Richmond, since 2000.

What are you 'over the edge' about? Since I was a young boy, I have loved and been "over the edge" for the game of basketball.  I have been coaching youth basketball since 1983, and in 2000 was offered a “dream job” to coach girls high school basketball at Loyola Academy in Wilmette. That same year we started a small travel team called the Jazz, which three years later became OTE.  Our story continues...

Hometown: Libertyville, IL

Alma Mater: Undergraduate - University of Wisconsin, Graduate -  Northeastern Illinois University 

Years with OTE:  Coach since 2006, and OTE Administrator since 2022

Basketball Coaching experience outside of OTE: I have coached 7th-8th graders at Mary Seat of Wisdom since 2007.

Why OTE? I love coaching and love being around the game of basketball. OTE has been a great place for me to gain knowledge, try new things, and learn from very high-level coaches. 

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Alma mater:  Loyola Academy High School, North Park University and Northeastern University.

Years with OTE: Since 2007

Basketball coaching experience outside OTE:  Resurrection High School for 3 years.

Playing experience: Shooting guard at Loyola Academy high school.   

What are you “over the edge” about: My passion is instilling the necessary fundamentals and skills in our youth. Having my students succeed in getting to the next level and be a successful and competitive athlete is the most rewarding experience I can imagine. I am over the edge with a passion to inspire and teach my students so they succeed at the next level. 

Hometown: Lake Forest, IL

Alma Mater: University of Dayton, Loyola University-Chicago

Years with OTE:  Since 2013

Basketball Coaching experience outside of OTE: 5 years total between Sacred Heart (Winnetka ) and Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Glenview).

Why OTE? OTE's emphasis on preparing players for higher levels of competition is unrivaled, in a travel basketball world that seems to place winning at all costs over skills and player development.

What are you 'over the edge' about? Other than basketball, I am over the edge about experiencing as much of life as possible with my wife, family, and friends.

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Alma Matter: University of Illinois '09 

High School: Driscoll Catholic 

Years with OTE: Since 2014

Basketball coaching experience outside of OTE: Head Coach at Sacred Heart Schools 2008 to 2020, selected in 2018 IBCA Coach of the year in the Middle School Division. In 2021 Coach Croix joined Northridge College Prep High School as Assistant Varsity Coach, and in 2022 took over as their JV Head Coach.

Why OTE? The focus and attention on the fundamentals of basketball.

What are you 'over the edge' about? Basketball, Competition, Teamwork, Development, and Fun!

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Alma Mater: Prosser High School (Chicago); Northern Illinois University.

Years With OTE: Since 2018

Basketball Coaching Outside OTE: Irving Park YMCA Travel Basketball Coach (2013-2018) and In House League Coordinator; Personal Trainer; Belding Elementary School (2015-18), boys/girls head coach and assistant coach; founder/coordinator of NorthWest Hoops Academy. 

Playing Experience: 3 Years at Prosser High School, Rec league Veteran!

Why OTE? I Have been able to develop better coaching skills by learning different techniques from the great coaches here at OTE. This has been a great learning experience for me, and I'm grateful to be a part of a real basketball culture here! 

Hometown: Northlake , IL .

Alma Mater: Leyden High School

Years with OTE: Since 2016 

Basketball Coaching Experience outside OTE: Allstar Basketball Camp , St John Vianney Church; Boys and Girls Club , Chicago Park District; Park District of Oak Park .  I also coached for another travel team .

Why OTE? Because they truly care about basketball and teaching it by starting with the fundamentals and building from there .  They care about their players, families and coaching staff .

What are you "over the edge " about? Teaching the players the fundamentals of basketball and the skills they need to build on along the way so they can reach their goals . And being a role model and a mentor .

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Alma Mater:  Lake Forest College and Northeastern Illinois University

Years with OTE: Since March 2021

Basketball Playing/Coaching experience: I’ve been around the sport either playing or coaching since I was in 4th grade. I played years of Travel/AAU basketball that led to 4 years at St. Ignatius College Prep. I coached at the Boys and Girls Club(General Wood) and at St. Jerome Catholic School prior to joining OTE.

What are you 'over the edge' about?  I’m “over the edge“ about developing players to be fundamentally, physically and mentally prepared to play at the next level. I am also aware of the impact my coaches had on me over the years and I’m excited to be on the other side of the sideline. Basketball has given me years of excitement and I hope to be able to pass that on to the next generation.

Hometown: Oak Park, IL

Alma Mater: William Woods University

Years with OTE: Since 2021

Playing experience: Oak Park and River Forest HS (2005); Illinois Central College (2005-07); William Woods University (2007-2009)

Coaching experience: West Cook YMCA - Bitty Basketball Instructor and Assistant Coach of West Cook Hurricanes (2010 & 2011)

What are you 'over the edge' about? Providing kids the necessary fundamentals to be a productive basketball player on both ends of the floor. There is a lot more to basketball than just scoring points.

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Alma Mater: Saint Louis University 

Basketball Coaching Experience:  I was the head coach of the Saint Louis University Women’s Club Basketball team from 2017-2020. Prior to this I have assisted coaching at summer camps at St. Tarcissus and Resurrection College Prep. 

Why OTE? Growing up, my favorite thing to do was to be outside working on my fundamentals. I want to bring that same passion to teaching the basics of the game and help younger players develop a love and excitement for the game of basketball. 

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Alma Matter: St. Patrick High School/ Northern Illinois University

Years with OTE:  2022

Playing Experience:  St. Patrick High School

Basketball coaching experience outside OTE: Coach at St. Viator Elementary School 13 years. Hot Shots Sports Academy 2 years. 

Why OTE?  The focus is on fundamentals, coaches do not preach fundamentals as much anymore. The knowledge of the game is just as important as the skills of the game. All the kids are also great to work with. 

What are you 'over the edge' about? with respect to coaching grade school students: I love being able to see these kids grow as players. I love seeing them succeed not just with us but when they move on to bigger and better things. 

Hometown: Chicago, IL.

Alma Matter: Depaul University

Years with OTE:  2016 to present

Basketball coaching experience outside OTE:  Coached Junior High School basketball from 2012 to present

Why OTE?  Focus on player development

What are you 'over the edge' about?  The athletes

Hometown: Chicago IL

Alma Matter: North Central College, Gordon Tech High School

Years with OTE: Since 2016

Basketball coaching experience outside of OTE: 2011-2012 Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club, 2013, 2014 Disney II Elementary & Head Coach 2015 - 2021

Why OTE?  My daughter started playing for Keith in 3rd grade. I came on board that same season and have loved what the program is all about ever since. Our program's foundation is based on the fundamentals, which is something you don't see emphasized in some other programs. The fundamentals and concepts that we teach the kids gives them the advantage for making their high school teams.

What are you 'over the edge' about? with respect to coaching grade school students: I'm 'over the edge' about continuing to teach kids the fundamentals...teaching them the right way to play the game. I love coaching and I love to see kids pick up the concepts that we've taught them during practices and for them to execute during games.

Hometown: Sleepy Hollow

Alma Matter: Northeastern Illinois University 2022

Years with OTE: Since 2022

High School: Lyons Township High School 

Why OTE: The enthusiasm from the coaches, the player to coach ratio, and the emphasis on fundamentals

What are you 'over the edge about'? Health, fitness, basketball, soccer, and guitar

Hometown: Maywood, Illinois

Alma Mater: Morton college

Year with OTE: Since 2023

Basketball Playing/Coaching experience: This amazing game got Introduced to me when I was ten years old.  I played 4 years on varsity at Morton high-school and won a regional champion my senior year. Played 2 years Morton college and Semi-Pro basketball in the Latino league. I’ve been coaching for 3 years at the middle school at the Berwyn recreational. 

What are you "over the edge" about: I’m “over the edge” about never cheating the game of basketball. Working on the true fundamentals of the game that we can truly determine our outcome. For example, your effort, attitude, and gratitude. By doing these 3 simple but very important duties as a basketball player your love for the game will only grow in a positive direction. 

-Kobe Bryant :”After all, greatness isn’t for everybody. But why not find out?

Home Town: Chicago, IL

Alma Mater: Undergrad - Saint Louis University, Graduate - University of Kentucky

Years with OTE: Since 2023

Basketball Playing/Coaching Experience: I played basketball from 4th grade through sophomore year of high school. I played travel basketball for four of those years, two of which, I played for OTE.

What are you “over the edge” about: I am “over the edge” about teaching young athletes the fundamentals of basketball and helping them to succeed.

Home Town: Chicago, IL

Alma Mater: Orr High School, Triton College

Years with OTE: Since 2024

Basketball Playing/Coaching Experience: 2010 8th Chicago City Championship (Robert Emmett School), 2014 Illinois High School Basketball State Final 3 place (Orr High School), Men's Basketball 2018 NJCAA National Champions (Triton College) Coach 7th and 8th grade boys (Beaubien Elementary), Coach Freshman Boys’ Basketball Team at Northside College Prep 

Why OTE?: I have seen the outcome of the work from OTE. Kids have an incredibly mature understanding of the game. The skills are extremely developed, and their understanding of new plays comes naturally. I respect what I have seen come from the OTE program.

What are you “over the edge” about: With respect to coaching grade school students: I like to focus on the fundamentals. I also like to team build. That bond is important to me. I want to make sure they are lifting each other up during all of the challenges they will face.

Hometown: Syracuse, N.Y.

Years with OTE: Co-owner 2007-2022, coach 2003-2022, super-fan for life.

Alma Mater: Marquette University

Basketball coaching experience: In OTE, Queen of All Saints and the Baumgartner shooting camp in Richmond, Ind., I've coached grade school through high school athletes since 2003, spanning more than 1000 games. Also co-author with Keith Miniscalco of two editions of "Survival Guide for Coaching Youth Basketball" (Human Kinetics).

What are you over the edge about?  I am proud of our legacy of teaching and investing in our players. Our goal has always been to develop young men and women who can compete in basketball at the high school level while excelling in academics and in life. We deliver what we promise. More than 90 percent of our alumni have gone on to have successful careers in high school and beyond as student-athletes in basketball.