UIC Athletics

John McCray enters his third year on Ashleen Bracey's coaching staff and his first as Associate Head Coach entering the 2026-27 season.

In the 2025-26 season, McCray contributed to UIC maintaining a 14-18 overall record with a 9-11 record against Missouri Valley Conference opponents.

He played a role in the development of Jessica Carrothers and Julia Coleman. Carrothers finished her lone season as the first member of the program to be named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference First Team, averaging 18 points per game (fourth in conference). She also joined Coleman as a member of the All-MVC Newcomer Team.

In the 2024-25 season, Lory helped the Flames go 15-18 in the season, 10-10 in conference play and a third consecutive postseason berth, with a bid to the 2025 WNIT Hosting in the first round against UAB, the Flames secured its first home postseason victory with a 63-48 win over the Blazers. 
 
McCray comes to UIC following assistant coaching stops at Northern Kentucky (2023-24) and Holy Cross (2020-23). While at Holy Cross, McCray was a key part of the Crusaders capturing the 2022-23 Patriot League Tournament championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. He also developed several Holy Cross players who earned numerous Patriot League honors, including Tournament MVP, all-league, all-defensive, and all-rookie team.
 
Before his stint in Worcester, McCray served as an assistant coach at the University of Florida from 2017-20. During his tenure at Florida, McCray primarily focused on player development of guards, scouting assignments and recruiting strategy. He also contributed to a seven-win turnaround for Florida in 2019-20, as the Gators finished .500 (15-15) for the first time in four years. Additionally, McCray played a pivotal role in doubling Florida's SEC win total with one of the league's least-experienced rosters, securing a first-round bye in the SEC Tournament for the first time in four years and securing two AP Top 25 wins. He was instrumental in recruiting Florida’s 2019 class that was ranked No. 26 overall by ProspectsNation.
 
Prior to joining the Gators, McCray served as an assistant coach at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he focused on developing post players and served as the team’s recruiting coordinator. During his tenure, the Mocs made four NCAA Tournament appearances and won four consecutive Southern Conference titles (2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017).
 
McCray began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, where he assisted with scouting, film exchange, and recruiting. He then spent one season as a video assistant at Ohio State. Additionally, McCray worked at Veritas Academy in Columbus, Ohio, serving as the athletics director, head varsity girls basketball coach, and associate varsity boys basketball head coach.
 
McCray graduated from Ohio State in 2011 with his bachelor’s degree in sport and leisure studies. He went on to earn his master’s degree in organization, development and leadership from Saint Joseph’s in 2016.