Michigan Turns to Boynton as Interim Coach After May Exits
Michigan basketball is working to promote assistant coach Mike Boynton Jr. to interim head coach after Dusty May accepted the Dallas Mavericks head coaching job on Monday, June 22. The move comes as the Wolverines scramble to maintain roster stability, with the transfer portal set to open in just five days. Iowa State fans should also keep a close eye on Ann Arbor, as Cyclones coach TJ Otzelberger has been floated as a potential long-term candidate for the Michigan job.
Why Mike Boynton Jr. Makes Sense for Michigan Right Now
Boynton brings serious credentials to the interim role. He spent seven seasons as the head coach at Oklahoma State from 2017 to 2024, compiling a 119-109 record and coaching future Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham. Over the past two seasons at Michigan, Boynton served as the defensive architect for the Wolverines. According to KenPom, he ranked as Michigan's top assistant this year and was credited with the nation's No. 1 ranked defense.
Promoting from within offers Michigan something it desperately needs right now: continuity. The Wolverines roster is loaded with top-end talent, including Trey McKenney, Elliot Cadeau, JP Estrella, Moustapha Thiam, and Brandon McCoy. Keeping that core together is the immediate priority, and Boynton already has relationships with those players and knowledge of the system.
Could Iowa State's TJ Otzelberger Be a Target Down the Road?
While Boynton appears to be the interim solution, other names are already circulating for a potential permanent hire next offseason. Iowa State's TJ Otzelberger is among the candidates mentioned, along with Saint Louis coach Joshua Schertz and former Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan.
For Iowa State fans, the mention of Otzelberger's name should raise eyebrows. Michigan is one of the premier jobs in college basketball, with deep pockets and a championship-ready roster. Otzelberger has built a strong program in Ames, but the pull of a blue-blood program with national title aspirations could be difficult to resist if Michigan comes calling with a lucrative offer next spring.
For now, Michigan appears content to let Boynton steer the ship this season. If he succeeds, he could earn the full-time role. If he falls short, the Wolverines can conduct a broader search next offseason when the transfer portal is open and they can rebuild the roster with a new coach's vision.
Dusty May's Strong Endorsement of Boynton
Before his departure, May made his feelings about Boynton crystal clear. Following Michigan's Final Four victory in early April, May praised his assistant in the strongest possible terms.