Five Things to Know about Coach Stein

From standout player to seasoned mentor, Coach Stein Garcia has dedicated his life to the game of soccer.

With more than 30 years of coaching experience, deep family roots in the sport, and a leadership role at Elite Soccer in Arlington Heights, IL, he continues to shape young athletes both on and off the field. Here are five things to know about Coach Stein.

1. He’s Spent His Lifetime in the Game

Coach Stein grew up in Hoffman Estates, IL and fell in love with soccer at just five years old. He played for Schaumburg SAA until high school, then joined Chicago Pegasus in the spring while starring at Hoffman Estates High School in the fall. A four-year varsity forward, Stein earned All-State, All-Sectional, and All-Conference honors in three of his four years, and was named to the Daily Herald and Chicago Tribune All-Area teams.

His success continued at the collegiate level. Stein began his NCAA Division I career at Creighton University, where his team reached the Final Four his freshman year and the Sweet 16 his sophomore year. He later transferred to University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), where he helped the program make its first-ever NCAA tournament appearance during his senior season. Along the way, Stein earned a degree in kinesiology and a master’s in youth development. Inspired by legends like Pelé and Ruud Gullit, soccer has always been a driving force in his life.

2. Soccer Runs in the Family

Soccer isn’t just Stein’s passion—it’s part of the family DNA. His father, Samson Garica, was a long-time coach who led Schaumburg SAA teams to multiple Illinois State Cups, started the women’s soccer program at Harper College, and also coached the men’s team. His siblings all played as well: sister Sheila at the University of Chicago, sister Steph at Loyola, and brother Vince at Harper College. Stein’s brother Vince, better known as DJ Flipside, is now the official DJ for the Chicago Bulls and the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Soccer Teams.

3. He Has Three Decades of Coaching Experience

With 30 years of coaching under his belt, Stein has touched nearly every corner of the game. He began coaching summer camps at 16, assisted his dad at Harper College while in college, and later worked as a graduate assistant at UIC, helping the team reach the Sweet 16. He has also coached club teams, private sessions, and now, for 25 years, has been a cornerstone at Elite Soccer in Palatine, IL.

Currently the Executive Director of Coaching & Player Development and Girls Director for Elite Soccer, Stein coaches the U19, U15, and U9 girls’ teams, and U14 boys team, as well as the U23 women’s team in the summer. He holds a U.S. Soccer Federation National ‘A’ License—the highest youth coaching credential—and oversees all coaches and programs at Elite. Beyond the field, Stein oversees the club website and social media presence while creating promotional videos and highlights to showcase players, teams, and events.

Elite Soccer, founded in 1998, offers both recreational and competitive travel programs and has grown into one of the area’s largest and most respected soccer organizations. Their mission is to provide kids of all ages and levels with opportunities to grow not just as athletes, but as people.

4. He Believes Soccer is One of the Best Sports for Youth

For Stein, soccer is more than just a game, it’s a gateway to growth. “Soccer is accessible to almost everyone,” he said. “There are different levels and opportunities for every type of player.” What makes it such a powerful youth sport, in his eyes, isn’t just the exercise or the competition, but the relationships it builds.

Team sports like soccer teach kids how to work together, communicate, and support one another—skills that carry far beyond the field. The friendships forged in practices, tournaments, and long bus rides often last a lifetime. “At the end of the day,” Stein reflected, “it’s all about the relationships and friendships you build.”

Stein’s coaching philosophy is deeply influenced by his father and mentors. He often reminds his players to “control the controllables”—their effort and their attitude—and how they react to adversity. Another guiding principle comes from one of his UIC graduate school professors, Dr. Don Hellison: “Life is all about relationships.”

5. Fun Fact About Coach Stein

Away from X’s and O’s, Stein loves Nicholas Field at the Sportsplex where Elite plays. The turf field, moveable goals, and consistent availability make it a perfect home for the club. And though most people know him for soccer, one fun fact surprises many: for five years, he worked as a wedding videographer, capturing memories while creating his own life story. Married to his wife, April, since 2007, the couple shares their home with their dog, Cherry Garica. Stein and April’s love story began unconventionally when he was working a video gig—he was filming a wedding, and she was the singer in the band!

At his core, Coach Stein is more than just a coach—he’s a mentor, a builder of community, and a lifelong student of the game he loves.