Mike Boynton Signs Two-Year Deal to Lead Michigan

Mike Boynton is officially the head basketball coach at the University of Michigan. The Wolverines signed him to a two-year contract following their national championship season, a move that caps a volatile offseason for the program and the Big Ten conference.

Boynton arrived as an interim head coach after Dusty May departed for the NBA to lead the Dallas Mavericks. He now holds the permanent position. Before his time in Ann Arbor, Boynton spent seven seasons at Oklahoma State. He compiled an 119-109 record during that tenure and secured one NCAA Tournament berth. His final season at the Cowboys, 2023-24, ended with a 12-20 finish and his dismissal.

During Big Ten media days, Boynton described his last two years as a sabbatical. He noted that working alongside May provided a daily masterclass in program management. He cited lessons on identifying specific player qualities, delegating responsibilities, and maintaining consistent performance as key takeaways.

Michigan's coaching change serves as the centerpiece of a wide-ranging shift across college basketball. Several other major programs replaced their head coaches this week. These moves reflect a broader turnover in college basketball leadership.

Kansas State fired Jerome Tang, who posted a 45-47 record over his last three years. Casey Alexander, a former head coach at Stetson, Lipscomb, and Belmont, takes over. Alexander holds a career record of 303-180. Will Wade returns to LSU for a second stint after being fired there in 2022 for recruiting violations. He replaces Matt McMahon, who went 60-70 in four seasons.

North Carolina hired Michael Malone, who had no prior ties to the school and no college head coaching experience. Malone, who went 510-394 in the NBA and won a title with Denver in 2023, replaces Hubert Davis. Davis guided the Tar Heels to the 2022 NCAA championship game and finished with a 125-54 record. N.C. State appointed Justin Gainey as its first-time head coach following Wade's departure. Gainey previously served on staffs at Tennessee, Marquette, Arizona, and Appalachian State.

Syracuse welcomed back Gerry McNamara, who holds the school's career records for three-pointers and minutes played. McNamara replaces Adrian Autry, who was fired after a 49-48 record with no NCAA Tournament berths in three years. On the women's side, Alabama rehired Pauline Love, an assistant last season under Kristy Curry. Love returns to the school after a stint as an assistant at Oklahoma.

Other notable women's changes include Tammi Reiss moving to the program that replaces Kelly Rae Finley. Reiss finished 138-73 at Rhode Island. Georgia hired Ayla Guzzardo, who led McNeese to a school-record 29 wins last season. Northwestern named Carla Berube, who went 147-29 at Princeton, to replace Joe McKeown upon his retirement. Virginia hired Aaron Rousell, who finished 148-72 at Richmond, to succeed Amaka Agugua-Hamilton. Georgetown appointed a new coach following a 43-57 record in three seasons under the previous regime. South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas A&M also underwent coaching changes, with new leaders tasked with stabilizing programs that faced recent losses.