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Michigan basketball has found its next full-time head coach.
Dusty May left the Wolverines to become the coach of the Dallas Mavericks after winning a national championship this past season, and with May's late departure, the school named top assistant Mike Boynton interim coach. Now, Boynton is being given the reins completely.
On Friday, Michigan officially removed the interim tag and named Boynton its head coach. In a release, the Wolverines said that Boynton agreed to a two-year deal.
"Mike is a veteran assistant with strong head coaching experience and a clear understanding of the standard we expect at Michigan," athletics director Warde Manuel said. "Over the past two seasons, he has been an invaluable member of our staff, bringing stability, leadership and perspective during an important period of success. Our players and staff believe in his vision, are committed to his leadership and are excited for the opportunity to pursue great success together this season."
Promoting Boynton makes quite a bit of sense given the timing of May's departure, but the former will certainly have big shoes to fill in Ann Arbor. Boynton does have head-coaching experience we can look at, though his tenure at Oklahoma State featured some ups and downs.
In seven seasons as the head coach of the Cowboys, Boynton posted only four seasons with records above .500, and he reached the NCAA tournament only once — a trip to the Round of 32 in 2021. His 119-109 record as a head coach doesn't exactly inspire great confidence.
Still, he was able to mostly hold Michigan's roster together after May's departure, returning starting guards Trey McKenney and Elliot Cadeau while retaining transfer additions Moustapha Thiam and JP Estrella. At the very least, Boynton should have a competitive roster in Year 1.
Though Mike Boynton should have one of the Big Ten's better rosters in 2026-27, he now enters a league that has no shortage of coaching talent. In addition to the legendary Tom Izzo at Michigan State and longtime Illinois and Purdue coaches Brad Underwood and Matt Painter, the league also features coaches with extensive track records of success like Mick Cronin, Buzz Williams, Eric Musselman and Fred Hoiberg. It also includes rising stars like Iowa's Ben McCollum and Indiana's Darian DeVries.
Boynton's work is certainly cut out for him.
Manuel likely didn't think he would enter 2026-27 with new head coaches in football and basketball just a few months ago, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the Wolverines will have two new leaders in their most prominent sports.
Longtime Utah coach Kyle Whittingham takes over the football program after Sherrone Moore was fired for cause, and now, the Wolverines will have a new coach in basketball after May dipped for the NBA.
Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Michigan tabs interim coach as Dusty May's full-time replacement
Continue reading...
Dusty May left the Wolverines to become the coach of the Dallas Mavericks after winning a national championship this past season, and with May's late departure, the school named top assistant Mike Boynton interim coach. Now, Boynton is being given the reins completely.
On Friday, Michigan officially removed the interim tag and named Boynton its head coach. In a release, the Wolverines said that Boynton agreed to a two-year deal.
"Mike is a veteran assistant with strong head coaching experience and a clear understanding of the standard we expect at Michigan," athletics director Warde Manuel said. "Over the past two seasons, he has been an invaluable member of our staff, bringing stability, leadership and perspective during an important period of success. Our players and staff believe in his vision, are committed to his leadership and are excited for the opportunity to pursue great success together this season."
A championship foundation. A familiar leader.
Mike Boynton Jr. has been appointed head coach of Michigan Men’s Basketball.
Read more about the next chapter in Ann Arbor.https://t.co/RRpjUwYEnH#GoBluepic.twitter.com/JQmm2giggo
— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) July 10, 2026
Can Mike Boynton continue Dusty May's success at Michigan?
Promoting Boynton makes quite a bit of sense given the timing of May's departure, but the former will certainly have big shoes to fill in Ann Arbor. Boynton does have head-coaching experience we can look at, though his tenure at Oklahoma State featured some ups and downs.
In seven seasons as the head coach of the Cowboys, Boynton posted only four seasons with records above .500, and he reached the NCAA tournament only once — a trip to the Round of 32 in 2021. His 119-109 record as a head coach doesn't exactly inspire great confidence.
Still, he was able to mostly hold Michigan's roster together after May's departure, returning starting guards Trey McKenney and Elliot Cadeau while retaining transfer additions Moustapha Thiam and JP Estrella. At the very least, Boynton should have a competitive roster in Year 1.
Where does Mike Boynton stack up against Big Ten coaches?
Though Mike Boynton should have one of the Big Ten's better rosters in 2026-27, he now enters a league that has no shortage of coaching talent. In addition to the legendary Tom Izzo at Michigan State and longtime Illinois and Purdue coaches Brad Underwood and Matt Painter, the league also features coaches with extensive track records of success like Mick Cronin, Buzz Williams, Eric Musselman and Fred Hoiberg. It also includes rising stars like Iowa's Ben McCollum and Indiana's Darian DeVries.
Boynton's work is certainly cut out for him.
Fresh starts for Michigan in football and basketball
Manuel likely didn't think he would enter 2026-27 with new head coaches in football and basketball just a few months ago, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the Wolverines will have two new leaders in their most prominent sports.
Longtime Utah coach Kyle Whittingham takes over the football program after Sherrone Moore was fired for cause, and now, the Wolverines will have a new coach in basketball after May dipped for the NBA.
Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Michigan tabs interim coach as Dusty May's full-time replacement
Continue reading...
