Dan LeGage gets the nod as new Portland boys' basketball coach

PORTLAND— The pupil has replaced the legend.

Monday afternoon, Portland High School made the announcement that Dan LeGage was replacing Joe Russo as coach of the boys' basketball program on the eve of the 2026-27 season.

The same Dan LeGage who once played for and coached with Russo now looks to fill his accomplished shoes as head coach.

"It's such an honor and I'm super-excited," said LeGage, who teaches Earth science at Portland High. "To go back and coach at a school I went to and have taught at is wonderful. The PHS culture and faculty are special. Very similar to what I experienced when I was a student there."

"I couldn't ask for a better person to lead our boys' basketball program following the decades of dedication and commitment Joe Russo gave to it," said Spencer Allen, Portland's athletic director.

LeGage graduated from Portland High in 1991, playing for Russo his senior year. LeGage went on to play basketball at the University of Maine-Farmington, for the legendary Dick Meader. There, LeGage was an All-Maine team selection in both 1993 and 1994. He graduated as the program’s fourth all-time leading scorer (1,368 points) and leader in made 3-pointers (168). LeGage is in the UMF Hall of Fame.

LeGage began his coaching career as an assistant at St. Joseph's College for a year, then he returned to Portland as an assistant to Russo from 1998 through 2002, helping the Bulldogs win a Class A state title in 1999. In 2002, LeGage went across town to become the head coach of the Deering boys, who were coming off consecutive losses in the Class A state final.

LeGage went just 5-13 his first season, but quickly turned the Rams around and had them back in the state game in his third year before leading Deering to its first-ever championship in 2006. LeGage won another Gold Ball in 2012 and by the time he left the program, following the 2012-13 campaign, he had posted 143 victories.

LeGage returned to the sidelines as Westbrook's coach for four years, then spent a year as an assistant at Deering before coming home to Portland once again in 2022, when his older son, Lucas, began high school.

LeGage helped Russo win 59 games over the past four seasons, culminated by last year's shocking run to the Class A state championship (where Lucas LeGage scored 19 points).

Russo, who retired last month after a 39-year coaching career (36 at Portland) which featured 518 victories and six Gold Balls, said that he was happy to see LeGage named as coach.

"It's a good choice," Russo said. "A natural fit and continuation for the program. He'll be in his element. He never really stepped away. He always helped out when he wasn't a head coach. He studies the game. He has what it takes to succeed. He has a good feel for the kids and is passionate about kids."

South Portland coach Kevin Millington also believes Portland made the right choice.

"Coach LeGage is the perfect fit for Portland," Millington said. "Portland is best when they are coached by a Portland guy and that is Dan, through and through. His teams will be relentless for 32 minutes, never letting their opponent breathe. It's sad to not see Coach Russo on the sideline, but I'm happy for my friend and look forward to battling him just like we did (as players) back in 1991."

Allen felt that LeGage's impressive resume made him a logical choice.

"Dan has spent the past several years on the bench as an assistant coach and also brings the experience of winning two state championships as a head coach," Allen said. "He has a proven track record of success and, just as importantly, knows our student-athletes and our program well. Coaches like Dan don't come around every day and any school would be fortunate to have him. We're excited about what the next chapter of Portland Bulldogs basketball will look like under his leadership."

While LeGage has long been influenced by Russo, expect him to bring his own approach to the Bulldogs this winter.

"Joe was so great because he could evolve over the years," LeGage said. "There are a lot of parallels because we've been together for so long, but there are things I'll do differently. I definitely have my own ideas. I love to play fast and agressive. We'll do things that the kids can get energized about."

Portland graduated some top contributors from the title team, but the cupboard isn't bare.

"Joe left the program in a good spot," said LeGage, who plans to retain several longtime assistant coaches. "We only have a couple guys back with significant varsity experience and I'm excited about their leadership and I'm also excited about the younger kids we have coming in. Continuity with the coaching staff will be good for the kids' comfort level because they all know us."

The Bulldogs will be on the short list of title favorites and LeGage is up to the challenge.

"The goal is always the same, to play in that last game," LeGage said. "I also want to see the kids develop and grow because the season comes to an abrupt end for everyone except the team that wins it. My expectation is that we'll play with a purpose and spirit and a sense of togetherness and if we do that, we can be a team that everyone in the city of Portland can be proud of."

Portland's 2026-27 campaign begins early next month.

Naturally, with a game against a familiar foe.

"We play Deering in our first game," LeGage said. I'm excited to get back in the gym."

Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffersports@yahoo.com