Boynton Takes Over Michigan Title Defense

Mike Boynton is now the permanent head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, the defending national champions. He will lead the program in its attempt to win a second consecutive NCAA tournament title.

The university signed Boynton to a two-year contract earlier this week. This move follows the departure of Dusty May, who left the staff to coach the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA.

Boynton previously served as an assistant coach under May for the last two seasons. Before that, he spent seven years as the head coach at Oklahoma State. His record there stands at 119 wins and 109 losses. He also earned one berth in the NCAA tournament during his tenure there.

His time in Stillwater ended in 2023-24 when Oklahoma State fired him after a 12-20 season. Boynton stated that his time in Ann Arbor functioned as a professional sabbatical. He told reporters at Big Ten media days that he learned to run a high-functioning corporation by sitting next to May every day.

The coaching change at Michigan anchors a busy offseason in college basketball. Several other major programs have replaced their head coaches. Kansas State hired Casey Alexander to replace Jerome Tang, who was fired after three seasons with a 45-47 record.

Louisiana State University brought back Will Wade for a second stint. He replaces Matt McMahon, who went 60-70 in four years. The North Carolina Tar Heels hired Michael Malone, a former NBA coach who won a title with the Denver Nuggets in 2023. Malone replaces Hubert Davis, who reached the championship game in 2022.

On the women's side, Alabama named Pauline Love as head coach. She returns to the program after serving as an assistant for one season. Rhode Island lost Tammi Reiss, who is now taking over at another program. Syracuse has hired Gerry McNamara, a former player for the Orangemen, to lead the team.

These shifts reflect a widespread turnover in college basketball leadership. The Michigan hire is considered the most high-profile move of the cycle. Boynton now holds the keys to a roster that captured the national championship last spring.