The Mike Boynton era is officially underway in Ann Arbor.
Less than three weeks since Dusty May left to become head coach of the Dallas Mavericks and Boynton was promoted to interim head coach of the Michigan men’s basketball team, the word “interim” has been dropped from the title. Athletic director Warde Manuel announced Friday afternoon that Boynton agreed to a two-year contract as Wolverines head coach.
“Mike is a veteran assistant with strong head coaching experience and a clear understanding of the standard we expect at Michigan,” Manuel said Friday. “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.”
The move follows a general pattern of retention within the program in the wake of May’s departure. Prior to the Boynton announcement Friday, all but one athlete — junior guard L.J. Cason — on the incoming 2026-2027 season roster had already publicly announced their decision to stay with Michigan. Now they’ve got a leader who’s done the same.
The promotion of Boynton to interim head coach can certainly be credited in part for this Michigan roster staying put. Boynton has been with the Wolverines as an assistant coach for two seasons. Across those two seasons, four Michigan athletes were selected as first-round NBA Draft selections, the Wolverines a 64-13 record, and the Wolverines claimed a Big Ten Tournament, Big Ten regular-season and national championship title. There’s no denying Boynton’s role in the development, coaching and recruitment of the athletes that made it all possible — especially from the athletes themselves.
“Coach Boynton has been there for me since day one,” former Michigan forward and current Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg said Friday. “He challenged me, believed in me and always pushed me to be my best. He played a huge role in everything we accomplished this season. Seeing him become the head coach is awesome because I know how much he cares about Michigan and everyone in this program. I know he’s going to do a great job.”
This is not Boynton’s first gig as a Division I men’s basketball head coach. Boynton was at the helm of Oklahoma State’s program for seven years from 2017-2024. He accumulated a 119-109 record with one NCAA Tournament appearance during his tenure in Stillwater. The tournament appearance came in 2021, the same season Boynton coached and developed Cade Cunningham, future first-overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft to the Detroit Pistons. There is no doubt that Boynton’s past experience at the head of a program with high-profile players also factored into Michigan’s decision.
“Coach Boynton has demonstrated exceptional leadership, unwavering integrity, and a deep commitment to the development of student-athletes throughout his career,” Michigan president Dominic Grasso said Friday. “I am confident he will build on our winning tradition, strengthen our culture of excellence, and lead our program in a way that reflects the very best of the University of Michigan’s values.”
Amongst Boynton’s first duties as full-time head coach will be the filling of current vacancies on his staff left behind by his own promotion and the departure of former assistant coaches Drew Williamson and Mody Maor. The filling of player vacancies, however, won’t be nearly as much of a problem.
With the Wolverines looking to uphold the standard of championship basketball set during May’s reign in Ann Arbor, they’ve turned to a man who was part of it all.
