Jeff Oller, the head coach of the Father McGivney Griffins girls basketball team, has been honored as the 2026 Telegraph Small‑Schools Girls Basketball Coach of the Year, a testament to his impact on the program over the past decade.
Oller honed his basketball acumen at Lincoln, where he played under the legendary coach Neil Alexander, a mentorship that shaped his understanding of teamwork and strategy.
Under Oller’s guidance, the Griffins posted a 28‑7 record this season, capturing the program’s third regional championship and securing a 17‑2 stretch in January and February before a setback against Pleasant Plains in the sectional.
A Balanced Approach
What sets Oller apart is his emphasis on balance; no player averaged more than 10 points per game, allowing seniors like Zoe Oller to lead with 9.8 points and 5.0 rebounds while freshmen such as Elle Willenborg and sophomore Layla Tobin contributed crucial offense.
The team’s depth was evident throughout the season, with contributions from Alexa Jones and other underclassmen who embraced the coach’s collaborative philosophy.
Beyond the court, Oller lives in Glen Carbon with his wife Danielle, son Archie, and daughter Danielle, and he serves as a teacher, coach, and athletics director at St. Boniface in Edwardsville, where he continues to blend educational and athletic development.
The Griffins’ rise mirrors the school’s broader athletic ascent; over the past ten years the program has recorded seven consecutive 20‑win seasons and grown its IHSA enrollment to 339 students for the 2026‑27 academic year, positioning the team for the upcoming transition to Class 2A.