Boynton Inherits Michigan Title Defense With Two-Year Contract

Mike Boynton will guide Michigan's 2026-27 season as the head coach tasked with defending the program's 2025 NCAA national championship. The university signed Boynton to a two-year agreement after initially naming him interim head coach in the wake of Dusty May's departure. This appointment places a familiar face in charge of a roster that has not yet begun its title defense campaign.

Boynton spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach on May's staff. Before joining Michigan, he served as the head coach at Oklahoma State for seven years, compiling a 119-109 record and one NCAA Tournament appearance. His tenure in Stillwater ended after the 2023-24 season when the Cougars finished with a 12-20 record.

Boynton described his time working under May as a period of intensive learning. During Big Ten media days, he characterized the previous two years as a sabbatical. He noted that he sat next to May every day to study how to run a high-functioning organization and identify specific player qualities. Boynton said this process taught him how to delegate responsibilities and ensure the team shows up consistently each day.

May left Michigan to become the head coach of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks. His exit triggered the most prominent move of the offseason coaching carousel. Other notable changes in college basketball include Casey Alexander replacing Jerome Tang at Kansas State. Alexander brings a 303-180 career record from stints at Stetson, Lipscomb, and Belmont. Tang was fired after three seasons in which he posted a 45-47 record following a 26-10 first year.

Will Wade returned to LSU for a second stint as head coach. He previously left the program in 2022 after the NCAA cited him for recruiting violations. Matt McMahon replaced Wade but was fired after a four-season record of 60-70. Wade's interim period included NCAA Tournament appearances at McNeese and North Carolina State.

North Carolina hired Michael Malone, an unconventional choice given his lack of college head coaching experience. Malone posted a 510-394 record as an NBA coach between 2013 and 2025 and won a championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2023. He replaces Hubert Davis, who guided the Tar Heels to the 2022 NCAA championship game and finished with a 125-54 record in five years.

North Carolina State appointed Justin Gainey as its first-time head coach. Gainey previously served as a player under the Wolfpack and worked as an assistant at Marquette, Arizona, Appalachian State, and Elon. He most recently was part of Rick Barnes' staff at Tennessee. Syracuse hired Gerry McNamara, who holds the school record for career three-pointers and minutes played. McNamara led Siena to a 23-12 record and an NCAA appearance last season, replacing Adrian Autry who finished 49-48 in three years.