Michigan removes interim tag from Mike Boynton Jr.’s title, making him full-time head coach

Michigan dropped the interim tag from Mike Boynton Jr.’s title and has agreed to a two-year deal with the former Oklahoma State coach, it said Friday.

Boynton was named the interim coach after Dusty May was hired as the Dallas Mavericks’ new coach. Boynton told The Athletic in late June that he was going through the interview process to have the interim tag removed and become the full-time head coach.

The 44-year-old has spent the last two seasons as an assistant at Michigan, helping run a defense that ranked No. 12 and No. 1 in adjusted defensive efficiency at KenPom over May’s two seasons in Ann Arbor. Boynton also had a top-20 defense in three of his final four seasons at Oklahoma State, and he told The Athletic that he plans to continue to run the defense and hire an offensive-minded assistant to run the offense.

“Mike is a veteran assistant with strong head-coaching experience and a clear understanding of the standard we expect at Michigan,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement. “Over 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.”

Boynton coached Oklahoma State for seven seasons before being fired in March 2024. The Cowboys were on three years of probation during that time — which included a postseason ban in 2022 — as a result of Level I violations by former associate head coach Lamont Evans that occurred before Boynton became head coach. During his time at Oklahoma State, his first head-coaching job, Boynton held a 119-109 record, including 51-75 in the Big 12. He made one NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Round of 32 with Cade Cunningham as his point guard.

Boynton took over Oklahoma State in somewhat similar circumstances. Former coach Brad Underwood left after one season in Stillwater to coach Illinois, and Boynton was elevated from assistant to head coach. Boynton believes he’s in a much better spot to succeed this time because he’s now done the job and also learned under May.

“I’m a better coach because I was able to sit by him,” Boynton said.

Boynton has received commitments from every Michigan player except LJ Cason, who is rehabbing from a knee injury and will likely miss part of the 2026-27 season. Boynton said once the roster is set, he plans to work on his staff and hopes to retain a majority of the coaches from last season.

Michigan is ranked fifth in The Athletic’s most recent preseason Top 25.