Northview coach David Chana lands a new job in Florida

Former Northview coach David Chana poses with Cam Ryans after he scored his 1,000th career point on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - David Chana has found a new job in a warmer climate.

Chana has stepped down as the boys basketball coach at Grand Rapids Northview High School to take a coaching job in Florida.

“I got a pretty amazing job offer in Florida and I couldn’t pass that up,” Chana said on Thursday.

Chana was already in the gym at Fort Myers High School in Fort Myers, Florida this week.

“I’m already down here,” he said. “We’ve got June basketball already next week. It’s much more intense down south.”

Chana coached Northview the past six years with an impressive 102-34 record. The team was 19-6 this past season. He’s coached some great players, such as Division I players Kyler VanderJagt, E.J. Ryans, Brady Swartz and Cam Ryans. 

Chana said he didn’t want to leave his current team hanging.

“I asked my guys what they thought about it,” he said. “I wasn’t gonna go unless they said it was OK. Cam Ryans said ‘Coach, if this was me, you’d make me do something to better my life. So I want you to do it.’ My guys were  so supportive.”

Coach David Chana on the sidelines during a game at Wayland on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. He had a record of 102-34 during his seven seasons at Northview. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

Chana spent four years in the United States Navy on the USS Abraham Lincoln. He was deployed twice to the Persian Gulf. When he got out the service, he jumped straight into coaching and never got his teaching degree.

“I didn’t get my teaching certificate. I’m a veteran,” he said. “The state of Florida has a thing for veterans that help you get their certificate quickly. The offer I got (from Fort Myers), I just couldn’t say no to. It is life changing.”

Chana said Northview and Athletic Director Pat Marsman didn’t want him to leave. 

“Pat is the reason I have this opportunity,” Chana said. “When I got there, he believed in me and it changed my life. He believed in me seven years ago and I’m indebted to him for that.”

Fort Myers High School is on the Gulf Coast and has an enrollment of 1,900 students. The basketball team was 12-14 last season.

Chana, 37, is excited for a new journey.

“I’m pushing 40 and this provides a level of security that I haven’t had before,” he said. “You get older and seeing thing differently.”