Michael Pollack

Varsity Basketball Head Coach - Boys

Michael Pollack is one the few alumni (if not only?) on our staff who graduated from the YULA class of 2003. He's coming on close to 10 years of coaching experience within our program. Mike played collegiate basketball at Yeshiva University where he studied Finance and Accounting and when moved back from NY, Coach David Winik immediately brought him on to the program. He coaches the JV Boys Basketball and has been a Varsity Assistant under Coach Dave Winik, Coach Eli Hami and now Coach Vince Oliver. He played under Coach Ed Gelb and Coach Winik and was part of the last Liberty League basketball championship in 2003. Mike's passion for being part of the program helps connect the past YULA basketball family into the present.

Gil Dalva

Varsity Basketball Coach - Girls

Gil Dalva was born and raised in Los Angeles to Israeli parents. His father played professional soccer in Israel and his grandfather was a pro boxer in Turkey. Gil played high school basketball for current Yula Varsity head coach Motti Meisels back in 1996-1997, where he flourished as a tremendous scorer. While in his first year in college, Gil began coaching basketball in youth and club teams. Shortly thereafter, Gil moved on to coaching high school teams at the JV and Varsity levels. Gil is an absolute basketball fanatic who believes that athletics lays the groundwork for tremendous personal growth. As an advocate for student athletes, Gil preaches sportsmanship, teamwork, fundamentals, and positive thinking. Gil currently lives in Encino with his wife and three kids and enjoys watching basketball (of course), bike riding, and training his nine-year-old daughter as she pursues her passion for basketball.

Daniel Lapson

Varsity Basketball Assistant Coach - Boys

Daniel was born and raised in Skokie, Illinois and graduated from Ida Crown Jewish Academy in 2009. He played basketball all four years and was part of Ida Crown’s only Saracheck championship in the school's history. He loves the game of basketball and hopes to instill the love of the game in all of his players. Daniel is looking forward to getting his coaching career started with Coach Mike!

Luis Cendejaz Mendez

Varsity Flag Football Coach - Girls and Boys

Football enthusiast and student of the game, Luis epitomizes the phrase “seize every opportunity.” He was introduced to Football at age seven and never looked back. He’s no stranger to being the  “smallest guy on the field.” Being the youngest of three boys, Luis had to constantly earn his spot. His hunger for success allowed him to lead a youth flag football team to a championship during his first year as a head coach. He also lead a middle school team to an undefeated season and division championship despite limited resources, which ultimately landed him an assistant coaching job for Sylmar High School. In his short tenure there, two players under his leadership were recruited to the University of Arizona. Lastly, Luis has over seven years of experience coaching athletes K-12 to develop their football skills in all areas of the game and, of course, to have fun! When Luis isn’t coaching or playing football, he enjoys hiking, content creating, and traveling to new spots.

Julia Noguchi

Varsity Fencing Head Coach - Girls and Boys

Ms. Julia Noguchi has over twelve years of fencing experience. She is a former college D1 fencer from Duke University and received her BA in Chemistry in 2022. Ms. Noguchi has received numerous medals at the local, regional, national, and international level, earning her a spot on the Japanese National Team. As a member, she competed in World Cups and Circuits, placing in the top 5 in her age division. She is currently a student at the UCLA School of Dentistry and hopes to create an environment that promotes sportsmanship and integrity at YULA. We are delighted to welcome Ms. Noguchi to YULA, where she will serve as the Head Coach of both the boys’ and girls’ Varsity Fencing Teams.

Yaelle Shaye

Frosh/Soph Volleyball Coach - Girls

Ms. Yaelle Shaye is a proud YULA alumni of the Class of 2022 and is now a Senior at UCLA. After playing both volleyball and basketball throughout her four years at YULA, she is excited to be back and continue her journey with YULA athletics as the Frosh/Soph Volleyball Coach. Ms. Shaye is eager to pass on her love for YULA and for volleyball to her players and is looking forward to an incredible season!

Chris Coy

Varsity Soccer Coach - Girls

Coach Chris has been passionate about soccer since the age of 6 and has extensive experience as a player across AYSO, Parks & Rec, All-Star Teams, high school JV and varsity, club teams, and travel teams. Coach Chris began coaching while in college, working with 3rd and 4th graders at his former elementary school and eventually progressing to coaching 5th-8th grade boys and girls. This solid foundation led Coach Chris to a successful tenure as the head coach of the JV Girls Soccer team at a different local high school, where he built several years of experience. Alongside team coaching, Coach Chris has also offered private one-on-one soccer fundamentals training to students from ages 5 to 16, excelling at breaking down complex skills into small, accessible steps that empower players to master any skill. Coach Chris is thrilled to join YULA’s Varsity Girls' Soccer program, bringing a commitment to player development and a passion for fostering growth and skill mastery.

Johnny Brackins

Varsity Cross Country Coach - Boys

Johnny Brackins Jr., a Kansas City native and professional track & field athlete, is an eight-time NCAA Division I All-American and USC graduate in social science with an emphasis in psychology. At USC, he set school records in both the 60m hurdles (No. 4 all-time NCAA) and the long jump, while also earning honors as a Bowerman Award watch list athlete and graduation speaker. He has also qualified for two U.S. Indoor World Championship teams, competing among the best in the world.
Now competing professionally, Johnny brings his vision that every athlete has their own path. With a passion for mentoring, he leads by example and is dedicated to helping young athletes reach the next level in their own unique journey.

Chris Marrone

Flag Football Assistant Coach - Girls

Will Hewitt

Varsity Golf Coach - Boys

With over 20 years of sports training and analysis, coach Will is passionate about teaching sports to the youth. His passion to educate he believes extends to life long love of any sport that he teaches.

"Coach William is passionate about helping high school golfers unlock their full potential. He takes the time to get to know each student as an individual, understanding their goals, learning style, and challenges.Will’s coaching style is supportive and encouraging, creating a positive and productive learning environment. He is dedicated to making golf fun and accessible for everyone." 

Eli Hami

Varsity Basketball Assistant Coach - Boys

Cieana Stinson

Varsity Volleyball Head Coach - Girls

Ms. Stinson was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, and has played a number of sports throughout her life, including basketball, cheerleading, soccer, track & field, and volleyball. Ms. Stinson started playing volleyball in high school, and then received a full scholarship to play volleyball at CSUN. She graduated from CSUN in 2016 with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and worked in the Mental Health field. Ms. Stinson began coaching in 2015 at Supernova and coached there until 2020. In 2021 she began coaching club volleyball at LAVA; Ms. Stinson also was an assistant coach at Alemany High School from 2016-2019. Ms. Stinson then moved onto the Varsity Head Coaching Position at Heritage Christian in 2019-2021. We are delighted to welcome Ms. Stinson  to YULA, where she will serve as the Varsity Girls Head Volleyball Coach.

Rafael Meghnagi

Varsity Soccer Coach - Boys

Rafael Meghnagi started playing soccer at six years old and fortunately my body has let me continue on playing until today. I began coaching at age 16, volunteering to coach AYSO youth teams. I then founded an adult soccer club in Los Angeles in 2007 called Dogtown Athletic. I oversee all three teams within that club, managing over 60 players year round. I started the YULA Boy's soccer program in 2008 and we've just completed our 14th season.

Jason Schoen

Varsity Baseball Head Coach - Boys

Chet McLees

Varsity Baseball Assistant Coach - Boys

Varsity Soccer Assistant Coach - Boys

Varsity Flag Football Coach - Boys

Chet McLees brings a diverse background in education and sports to his role as an assistant coach. With deep roots in both his alma maters, Emek and YULA, Chet's journey has been defined by a commitment to learning, leadership, and teamwork. Having completed his K-8 education at Emek, Chet now gives back to the school community as a shadow teacher. His experience in this role has honed his ability to connect with individuals and provide personalized support, skills he leverages in his coaching approach. Chet's athletic prowess was evident during his time at YULA, where he served as the captain of the baseball team. This leadership experience, combined with his passion for the game, has fueled his desire to guide young athletes in their own journeys. After his time at YULA, Chet pursued higher education at Excelsior College, further deepening his knowledge and commitment to personal growth. His well-rounded background makes him an ideal mentor for players both on and off the field.

Kiyae' White

Varsity Basketball Assistant Coach - Girls

Varsity Cross Country Head Coach - Girls

Varsity Track & Field Head Coach - Girls

Coach Kiyae' White, known professionally as Coach Kiy, is a highly accomplished educator and coach with a strong background in athletics and leadership. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master's in Adult Education from Auburn University, where she was a student-athlete from 2017 to 2022. During her collegiate career, Coach Kiy was recognized on the SEC Academic Honor Roll and named to the SEC Community Service Team. She also served as the SEC Women's Basketball Representative for the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Student-Athlete Engagement Group and was an active member of the SEC Leadership Council and the SEC Equity and Inclusion Committee.

In addition, Coach Kiy is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and served as the co-chair of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee's Subcommittee on Equity and Inclusion. After completing her playing career, Coach Kiy transitioned into coaching as an Assistant Women's Basketball Coach at California State University, Northridge, where she worked for two years. In her professional endeavors, Coach Kiy also works with Legend Agency, where she collaborates with agents and brands to support professional athletes. She has further contributed to the development of young athletes through her involvement with the Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation Clinics. Additionally, she serves as the Head Coach for the 13U/14U club team at Sports Academy, where she continues to mentor and develop the next generation of athletes.

Jennie Bautista

Varsity Volleyball Head Coach - Boys
JV Volleyball Head Coach- Girls
Varsity Volleyball Assistant Coach - Girls
JV Basketball Head Coach - Girls
Varsity Basketball Assistant Coach - Girls

TJ Runnels

Baseball Assistant Coach - Boys

Moshe Darvish '22

Varsity Golf Coach - Boys

 “Moshe Darvish is a proud YULA alumnus from the Class of 2022. A former member of the YULA golf team, he’s excited to return with the program that shaped so much of his high school experience. Moshe looks forward to sharing his passion for golf and helping inspire the next generation of players.”

Anna Wetteland

Varsity Swim Coach - Girls

Anna Wetteland is a lifelong swimmer from Los Alamos, New Mexico, and a 2024 graduate of Los Alamos High School. She is currently pursuing her undergraduate studies at UCLA, where she is also a proud member of the UCLA Swim and Dive Team. With 14 years of competitive swimming experience and multiple state titles to her name, Anna brings both skill and passion to the pool.

Beyond her own achievements, Anna finds great fulfillment in mentoring younger athletes. She loves sharing the techniques, discipline, and mindset that have shaped her own journey. Now, as she begins her coaching career at YULA, Anna is excited to help the next generation of swimmers grow in confidence, strength, and love for the sport.

Dani Levine

Varsity Tennis Coach - Girls

Growing up in Los Angeles, Dani fell in love with tennis the moment she first picked up a racquet. What began as a childhood hobby quickly turned into a lifelong passion, leading her to compete at a high level, earn national rankings as a junior, and secure a full-ride tennis scholarship to Elmira College after graduating from Marymount High School. Over her 25 years in the sport, Dani has learned that tennis is so much more than a physical game—it’s a mental challenge that teaches focus, patience, and resilience. Those lessons have stayed with her far beyond the court, shaping her approach to competition, personal growth, and life itself. For Dani, tennis isn’t just a sport—it’s a way of thinking, moving, and living.