Boynton Returns to Michigan Helm

Mike Boynton stands at the center of the biggest coaching move in college basketball this fall. He has signed a two-year contract to serve as head coach at the University of Michigan. The deal follows the departure of Dusty May, who left the program to join the staff of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.

Boynton’s return to the top job in Ann Arbor is a homecoming of sorts. He spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach on May’s staff. Before that, he served as the head coach at Oklahoma State for seven seasons. During his tenure in Stillwater, he compiled a 119-109 record and secured one berth in the NCAA Tournament. His time there ended in 2023-24 after the Cowboys finished with a 12-20 record.

The transition at Michigan began immediately after the Wolverines won the national title. The university initially named Boynton interim head coach to bridge the gap. That interim status has now converted into a permanent role with a multi-year commitment. Boynton views the past two years as a period of intensive learning.

“The last two years have been sort of like a sabbatical for me,” Boynton told reporters at Big Ten media days. He described his time beside May as a study in management. He cited the opportunity to learn how to run a high-functioning corporation and how to identify specific qualities in players that match a team’s needs. He also mentioned the value of delegating responsibilities and showing up with consistency every day.

Boynton’s hiring is part of a wider shuffle in the college basketball coaching world. Other programs have made notable changes to their staffs during this offseason. At Kansas State, Casey Alexander has taken over the head coaching position. He replaces Jerome Tang, who was fired after a four-year stretch that included a regional final appearance in his first year.

Casey Alexander brings a 303-180 career record to the Sunflower State. He previously held head coaching roles at Stetson from 2011 to 2013, Lipscomb from 2013 to 2019, and Belmont from 2019 to 2026. His appointment follows a turbulent period for Kansas State, where Tang went 26-10 in his debut but struggled in subsequent years.

At Louisiana State University, Will Wade has returned for a second stint. He first left the school in 2022 after the NCAA cited him for recruiting violations. His successor, Matt McMahon, was fired after a 60-70 record over four seasons. Wade spent his time away from LSU leading McNeese and North Carolina State to NCAA Tournament appearances. He finished his first tenure in Baton Rouge with a 105-51 record and three tournament bids in six years.

The University of North Carolina made an unconventional choice by hiring Michael Malone. Malone had no prior ties to the Tar Heels and no experience as a college head coach. He was 510-394 as an NBA coach from 2013 to 2025 and won a championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2023. He replaces Hubert Davis, who went 125-54 in five years and took the Tar Heels to the 2022 national championship game.

North Carolina State has installed Justin Gainey as its new head coach. Gainey is a former Wolfpack captain who most recently worked on Rick Barnes’ staff at Tennessee. He also held assistant roles at Marquette, Arizona, Appalachian State, and Elon. This follows Wade’s 20-14 season at the school before his return to LSU.

Syracuse has brought back Gerry McNamara to lead the Orange. McNamara holds the program records for career three-point baskets and minutes played. He most recently led Siena to a 23-12 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance. He replaces Adrian Autry, who was let go after a 49-48 record with no tournament bids in three seasons.