ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) 鈥� Michigan has agreed to a two-year contract with men’s basketball coach Mike Boynton, removing the interim tag he was given after left to lead the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.
Athletic director Warde Manuel announced the move on Friday, going for some continuity on the coaching staff for the defending .
鈥淢ike is a veteran assistant with strong head coaching experience and a clear understanding of the standard we expect at Michigan,鈥� Manuel said. 鈥淥ver 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.鈥�
Boynton has been able to help the Wolverines retain their roster, which includes nine newcomers.
鈥淚鈥檓 grateful to Warde for his confidence and thankful for the opportunity to lead this program,鈥� Boynton said. 鈥淲e 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鈥檓 excited to get to work and continue the success we鈥檝e established together.鈥�
Boynton was 119-109 over seven seasons at Oklahoma State, which fired him two years ago. He recruited to play for the Cowboys in 2020 even though they were facing NCAA penalties from rule violations under a former assistant coach.
鈥淐oach Boynton has had a huge impact on my life,鈥� Cunningham said. 鈥淗e believed in me, trusted me and pushed me to become the best version of myself. I鈥檓 incredibly happy for him and his family because I know how much this opportunity means to all of them. Michigan is getting an outstanding coach, but even more importantly, they鈥檙e getting an incredible person.鈥�
May said during the NCAA Tournament that his top assistant should get another chance to lead a program and added to his endorsement on Friday.
鈥淵ou couldn鈥檛 ask for a better person to lead Michigan basketball,鈥� May said. 鈥淢ike has poured everything he has into this program from the day he got here. He鈥檚 an outstanding coach, an even better person, and our players believe in him because they see the work he puts in every single day.鈥�
The 44-year-old Boynton, who is from New York, previously was an assistant with the Cowboys and Stephen F. Austin under current Illinois coach Brad Underwood.
Former Michigan coach John Beilein endorsed Boynton鈥檚 hiring.
鈥淗e absolutely is the right guy at the right time to become the next head men鈥檚 basketball coach at Michigan,鈥� Beilein said.
away from Florida Atlantic in 2024 and he quickly turned around a program that lost a school-record 24 games two years ago, leading to former player getting fired.
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