Phil Sayers enters his first season as head coach of the women's basketball program in 2026-27
A Michigan native, Sayers brings a proven track record of success at multiple levels of college basketball. Most recently, Sayers spent 14 seasons on staff at Grand Valley State, including the last 11 as Associate Head Coach.
At Grand Valley State, Sayers guided the team to 11 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, and back-to-back National Championships in 2024-25 and 2025-26. Overall, the Lakers have compiled a record of 314-50 in those 11 seasons, including five 30-win campaigns. Under Sayers, GVSU has won five-straight GLIAC Regular Season Titles and four consecutive conference tournaments crowns. Overall, the Lakers have played in nine out of the last 11 GLIAC Tournament Finals.
Named the 2024-25 WBCA National Assistant Coach of the Year, Sayers has coached a First Team All-GLIAC performer in each of his 14 seasons at Grand Valley State, including the back-to-back conference Player of the Year in Rylie Bisballe, while Paige VanStee went on to earn WBCA First Team All-American Status.
Prior to his time in Allendale, he spent four years as an assistant coach on the Western Michigan women's basketball staff. Sayers helped Ebony Cleary finish her career as a Bronco ranked 15th all-time in scoring, 10th in career field goal percentage and earn All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) honors. Sayers also has experience working as the director of operations for the WMU men's program.
Before WMU, Sayers served as the assistant coach for the women's basketball program at Kalamazoo College from 2006-07, following a very successful three-year run as the head girls' basketball coach at Climax-Scotts High School (2004-06). He led Climax-Scotts to a 64-7 record with three Southern Central Athletic Association championships, two district championships and an appearance in the 2004 regional finals. He was a three-time finalist for the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan Class D Coach of the Year after guiding the Panthers to 57-straight conference victories and extending the school's streak to 90 wins. Sayers helped two players earn Class D First Team All-State honors and five of his former players are currently playing college basketball.
Sayers was a varsity boys' basketball assistant for two years (2004-06) at Climax-Scotts, including a trip to the regional finals in 2006, and was an assistant junior varsity baseball coach for one season.
Sayers was a three-year varsity baseball player at East Detroit High School and was the freshman basketball coach as a senior. He went on to Grand Valley State, where he earned a bachelor's degree in sports pedagogy in 2002 and another bachelor's degree in history and physical education in 2006.
Sayers married the former Liz Raifsnider in December of 2002, and the couple has three daughters, Grace, Anna, and Lily.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
Mike Williams, Grand Valley State University Women’s Basketball Head Coach
“Having worked with Phil for the last 11 years he has proven he is a rising star in the coaching profession. He is an outstanding teacher and leader that played a major role in our program development at Grand Valley State. He has the passion and work ethic, with an ability to grow and sustain success. And he will do just that moving forward at Lindenwood!”
Tasha Brown, UCLA Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach
“Phil Sayers is a proven winner. He’s exceptional at building meaningful relationships, brings a genuine passion for the game, and has a track record of developing players at a high level. His impact will be felt immediately. Lindenwood is gaining a special leader.”
Rebecca Burleigh, Former Florida Gators Women’s Soccer Head Coach
“I couldn’t be more excited to see Phil Sayers take the reins as Lindenwood women’s basketball head coach. He’s a relentless recruiter, a true relationship-builder, and someone who is deeply committed to growth—both his own and the people around him. His players and colleagues trust him because he invests in them every single day. This opportunity is well earned, and I can’t wait to watch him put his stamp on the program.”
Celia Slater, Co-Founder TLC Institute for Athletic Coaching Excellence
“It has been fun to watch Phil grow as a leader, a teacher and person. He is a relationship builder whose positive energy and work ethic are contagious! Congrats Lindenwood…you hired one of the best in the country. Go Lions!”
