Michigan taps Mike Boynton Jr. as interim head coach
Michigan basketball is set to hire assistant coach Mike Boynton Jr. as interim head coach for the 2026‑27 season, a move that follows Dusty May’s recent departure to become the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks.
Boynton arrives after a seven‑year stint at Oklahoma State University, where he honed his defensive philosophy, and he now returns to the University of Michigan staff as the architect of the program’s top‑ranked defense during the 2025‑26 campaign.
The interim appointment comes at a critical juncture as the program seeks to retain key players, including star guard Cade Cunningham, to preserve its status as a national contender.
Leadership backs interim choice
Athletic director Warde Manuel and longtime coach Jim Harbaugh have publicly expressed confidence in Boynton’s professionalism and his ability to guide the team through this transition.
The decision also reflects a broader pattern of internal promotions within Michigan athletics, a strategy that has produced mixed results in football but has yielded success in hockey, as observed by commentator Sherrone Moore.
Fans will watch closely as the interim coach navigates the upcoming transfer portal window, which opens just five days after the announcement, and wonders whether his vision can keep the Wolverines competitive in the coming season.