Jefferson High School Hired Michael Lee as Head Coach
The Portland basketball program brought back a former state champion to lead the team.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Basketball
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Jefferson High School athletic director Donnie Siel has hired Michael Lee as the program's new head coach. Lee, an alumnus of the school, returns to Portland to take over the position previously held by Robert Smaller.
Why it matters
The hire marks a strategic effort by the school to revitalize its basketball program following consecutive seasons where the team struggled to maintain a winning record under its former leadership.
Michael Lee, 43, previously coached at Roosevelt with a 24-26 record and served as a scout for the Golden State franchise starting in 2021. He brings experience from the University of Kansas, where he played during the 2003 championship run.
The players
Michael Lee
He is the new head coach at Jefferson High School who previously played at the University of Kansas.
Donnie Siel
He serves as the athletic director at Jefferson High School and confirmed the hiring of the new head coach.
Robert Smaller
He is the former head coach of the Jefferson basketball team.
Pat Strickland
He is a former head coach who finished his coaching career with a 299-96 record.
The details
Lee was a standout player for Jefferson, leading the 2000 squad to a perfect 28-0 state championship season. He replaces Robert Smaller, who managed the program for two seasons following the long tenure of Pat Strickland, who retired in 2024 with a 299-96 career record.
Timeline
Jefferson won the state title during the 2000 season.
The University of Kansas team appeared in a championship game in 2003.
Michael Lee coached at Roosevelt from 2015 to 2017.
Pat Strickland retired from his position in 2024.
Jefferson officially hired Michael Lee in September 2026.
Season Trajectory
This hire represents a pivot for the Jefferson basketball program as it attempts to move past the recent instability following the retirement of Pat Strickland. The appointment of an alumnus is intended to restore the competitive standards set during the team's historic 2000 season.
The transition to Lee will be evaluated against the baseline of the previous two seasons, where the team finished with records of 9-15 and 11-14. Fans and observers will look for immediate tactical shifts compared to the prior coaching era.
The takeaway
Lee brings a mix of collegiate experience and familiarity with the program to his new role. His tenure will likely be measured by his ability to replicate the defensive and offensive discipline that defined his own playing days at the school.
Further reading
For more on the local hoops scene, visit our Basketball page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Oregon Live.
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