​ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan has reached a two-year agreement with men’s basketball coach Mike Boynton, removing the interim label he wore after Dusty May departed to lead the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. Athletic director Warde Manuel announced the decision, emphasizing the desire for continuity on the coaching staff for the defending national champions.
“Mike is a veteran assistant with strong head coaching experience and a clear understanding of the standard we expect at Michigan,” 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.”
Boynton has helped the Wolverines retain much of their roster, including nine newcomers. “I’m grateful to Warde for his confidence and thankful for the opportunity to lead this program,” Boynton said. “We have built a championship culture and a standard that everyone associated with this program takes great pride in. We have an outstanding group of players, and I’m excited to get to work and continue the success we’ve established together.”
Boynton, 44, hails from New York and previously served as an assistant at Oklahoma State and Stephen F. Austin under current Illinois coach Brad Underwood. His time with the Cowboys included recruiting Cade Cunningham to Texas for the 2020 season despite NCAA penalties stemming from violations tied to a former assistant coach. Cunningham has since spoken highly of Boynton, crediting him with belief, trust and pushing him to become his best. “Michigan is getting an outstanding coach, but even more importantly, they’re getting an incredible person,” Cunningham said.
Former Michigan coach John Beilein also voiced support for Boynton’s candidacy, saying, “He absolutely is the right guy at the right time to become the next head men’s basketball coach at Michigan.”
May, whose own journey at Michigan included leaving for the program’s needs, voiced strong endorsement for Boynton during the NCAA Tournament. He described Boynton as “the kind of person you couldn’t ask for,” noting that he has devoted himself to the program since arriving and that players respond to the daily effort he puts in.
Meanwhile, Manuel previously hired May away from Florida Atlantic in 2024, quickly turning around a program that had suffered a school-record 24 losses two years earlier. The decision to retain Boynton signals a push for stability and continuity as Michigan looks to build on its success and maintain momentum in a competitive landscape. The new contract aligns with a broader strategy to sustain the standards of excellence and cultivate leadership within the program, both on and off the court.