Chad Sayen named Varsity Boys Basketball Head Coach at Portland High School

Portland High School recently announced that Chad Sayen has been selected as the school’s new Varsity Boys Basketball Head Coach.

PHS Athletic Director Jason Haid, “Coach Sayen brings a strong combination of experience, energy, and a deep understanding of our basketball program. Over the past several years, he has worked his way through the program, building relationships with players and families while helping develop the next generation of Raider basketball athletes.”

Sayen hails from Munising, and is a graduate of Munising High School and Central Michigan University. 

He has coached in the Portland program for five years, including one year as JV assistant (2021-22), two years as freshman head coach (2022-23; 2023-24), and two years as varsity assistant coach (2024-25; 2025-26).

Sayen told the Beacon, “I started coaching basketball while at college at Mt Pleasant Sacred Heart and later was a member of the football coaching staff at Rockford (MI) High School.   I spent 18 years as a member of the West Michigan Whitecaps Professional Baseball front office.”

Sayen added, “Coaching has always been in my blood as my father was a long-time high school football coach at Munising (current member of the Michigan HS Football Coaches Hall of Fame) and later in the small college ranks.  I grew up on the football sidelines and on the basketball court as a child and had the opportunity to observe and play for many great coaches at a young age.”

Haid’s announcement of Sayen’s selection said, “During his time on staff, Coach Sayen helped contribute to a varsity program that reached the MHSAA Regionals in back-to-back seasons. He has worked alongside future Hall of Fame coach Luke Pohl and has been an important part of the success and culture that has been established within the program.”

Haid added, “What excites us most about Coach Sayen is his vision for the future of Portland Boys Basketball. He is committed to strengthening our feeder system, creating alignment from youth basketball through varsity, and continuing to build a program that develops student-athletes both on and off the court.”

Haid said, “Coach Sayen brings tremendous energy, enthusiasm, and passion for Portland Basketball. We are confident that he will continue to build upon the strong tradition of Raider basketball while fostering positive experiences and growth opportunities for our student-athletes.”

Regarding his vision for the Raider program, Sayen said, “I am looking forward to carrying over the momentum of the boy's basketball program that we have built under the leadership of Coach Luke Pohl.  Like any great program, it all starts at the youth level, which is near and dear to my heart.  We have so many great youth coaches that volunteer for countless hours, and they will continue to be a huge part of the success of the program.  It truly takes a village to develop a strong basketball culture.”

Sayen added, “Our program will be one built on trust and accountability while developing our young men both on and off the court.  I am a defensive minded coach which aligns well with the athletes in Portland.  Our kids are resilient and have a strong work ethic, and I look forward to continuing to display those characteristics on the basketball court.”

He also said, “I am very grateful and humbled to lead the Portland boy's basketball program in this great community!  I've truly appreciated all of the support I have received from coaching colleagues and friends since I was named to this position.”

Sayen and wife Jaclyn have two children, daughter Avery (10) and son Langston (8).

Courtesy photos.