Anti-lesbian controversy

Portland forbade lesbian athletes in her program, as she explained in a 1986 article in The Chicago Sun-Times:

One of the first things Penn State coach Rene Portland brings up during a recruiting visit with a prospective player and her parents is lesbian activity. "I will not have it in my program," Portland said. "I bring it up and the kids are so relieved and the parents are so relieved. But they would probably go without asking the question otherwise, which is really dumb."

— The Chicago Sun-Times, June 16, 1986^[11]

The statement was made prior to adoption of Penn State's policy on nondiscrimination and harassment in 1991;^[12] however, according to the 2009 documentary film Training Rules,^[2] no action was taken against Portland's prohibition.

In 2006, former player Jennifer Harris accused Portland of removing her from the team because of her perceived sexual orientation. Harris filed a federal lawsuit against Portland, athletic director Tim Curley, and the university. An internal university review found that Portland created a "hostile, intimidating, and offensive environment" based on Harris's perceived sexual orientation. Portland was fined $10,000, required to attend diversity training sessions, and placed on "zero tolerance" for future violations of the nondiscrimination policy.^[13]

Responding to the sanctions, Portland stated that "the process that was used to reach these conclusions was flawed." Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, said that "consequences faced by Rene Portland are insulting and inadequate."^[14]

In February 2007, the lawsuit was settled out of court—before Portland's resignation the following month—under confidential terms and described in a joint statement as "amicable."^[15] Despite being forced out of the Penn State job, many of her fellow Big Ten coaches continued to support her.^[16]

The documentary film Training Rules,^[2] co-directed by Dee Mosbacher and Fawn Yacker, explores incident further, featuring interviews with several players about their experience with Portland and the anti-homosexual environment she allegedly perpetuated during her tenure.

Under Portland’s 27-year career as Penn State’s women’s basketball coach, which lasted from the 1980–81 season through 2006–07, 113 student-athletes appeared on the Penn State roster.^[17] Seven players from Portland’s final season remained on the squad when Coquese Washington became the next head coach. Hence, there were 106 players who concluded their time as Lady Lions under Portland.

Of these, 57 completed 4-year college careers at Penn State; however, the rest (49, or nearly half) stayed less than four seasons.^[17] Approximately 46% of Portland’s players left Penn State while they still had college eligibility remaining. The comparable attrition rate under Washington has been 21%.^[17]

USA Basketball

In 1993, Portland served as an assistant coach to FIBA Junior World Championship head coach Jim Foster. The event was held in Seoul, South Korea August 1–8, 1993. The U.S. improved their record from the 1985 and 1989 events to 5–2, but that finish placed the team seventh overall.^[18]

In 1997, Portland became the head coach of the U.S. team competing in the Junior World Championship. That event was held in Natal, Brazil July 5–13, 1997. After beating Japan in the opening game, the US played defending champion Australia in the second round. Despite having a 13-point lead at one time, the US let the lead slip away and lost 80–74. However, the US team then went on to win a four-point game against Cuba, and won easily against Russia and Spain to move to the medal rounds. In the semi-final the US team faced Slovakia, and won 90–77 to move the team into their first ever finals for a FIBA Junior World team. The final was against Australia who had beaten the U.S. in the second game. The US team had a three-point lead with three seconds to go, but Australia hit a three pointer to send the game to overtime. Australia scored first, the U.S. outscored the Australians 7–2 to take a small lead. The lead was down to two points with 30 seconds left in the game, but the US hit free throws to win 78–74, notching the first-ever gold medal for a Junior World Championship team from the US.^[19]

Portland served as the head coach of the USA representative to the 1999 World University Games (also known as the Universiade). The event was held in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. The U.S. team won their opening two games easily, including a mismatch against South Africa with a final score of 140–32, but lost against the Ukraine, 81–70. They earned a position in the medal rounds and defeated Lithuania in the quarterfinals. The US then took on undefeated Russia and won a close game 87–79, setting up the championship game between the U.S. and host Spain. After falling behind early, the U.S. team kept the game close, and got within five points with under two minutes to go, but Spain held on to win the gold medal. The U.S. team received the silver medal.^[20]