Mike Boynton signs two-year deal to lead Michigan after Dusty May departs for NBA

Fans of the defending national champion Wolverines will see a familiar face in the headset next season. Mike Boynton is the new head coach of the Michigan men’s basketball team, signing a two-year contract to take over from Dusty May.

May departed the program following the championship season to become the head coach of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. Michigan initially named Boynton as the interim head coach before finalizing the permanent appointment.

Boynton returns to a head coaching role after spending the last two seasons as an assistant on May’s staff. Previously, he led Oklahoma State for seven seasons, compiling an 119-109 record and securing one NCAA Tournament berth. He was dismissed by the Cowboys after a 12-20 finish in the 2023-24 campaign.

During Big Ten media days, Boynton described his time as an assistant as a period of intensive learning. He stated that working daily with May taught him how to run a high-functioning corporation and how to identify specific qualities in players that match team needs.

"The last two years have been sort of like a sabbatical for me," Boynton said. "I’m sitting next to this genius every day learning how to run a high-functioning corporation, how to identify great qualities in people specific to your needs as a basketball team and allow them to be great in those areas, how to delegate responsibilities, and how every day to show up and be even."

Boynton’s move anchors a series of personnel shifts across the country. Kansas State hired Casey Alexander, who owns a 303-180 career record. Alexander succeeds Jerome Tang, who was fired after three seasons that yielded a 45-47 record following a 26-10 start in his first year.

LSU brought back Will Wade for a second stint after the school fired him in 2022 over recruiting violations. Wade replaces Matt McMahon, who went 60-70 in four years. Wade previously led LSU to three NCAA Tournament appearances with a 105-51 record.

North Carolina made a distinct choice by hiring Michael Malone, who had no prior ties to the program and no college head coaching experience. Malone, who won an NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2023, replaces Hubert Davis. Davis guided the Tar Heels to the 2022 NCAA championship game with a 125-54 record in five years.

Other notable changes include Gerry McNamara returning to Syracuse after leading Siena to an NCAA appearance. On the women’s side, Pauline Love returned to Alabama as head coach, and Tammi Reiss arrived at her next stop after going 138-73 in seven years at Rhode Island.