Mike Boynton has some big shoes to fill. He is replacing a Michigan legend, just like Juwan Howard did. Boynton was not the first choice for the job, and second-chance coaches rarely, if ever, succeed in their second pit stop. Boynton has the resources, but lacks in other fields.
3 reasons why Boynton could struggle
Some in the fanbase are unenthusiastic about this move
Not that it matters what people think to the decision makers, but Boynton is an obvious downgrade from May. Having one hand already tied behind their backs because of the timing, Michigan basketball really had no choice but to promote Boynton to the head job.
On the positive side, Boynton has kept the band together, but nothing he did at Oklahoma State is promising for his future at Michigan. As an assistant, he's one of the brightest around, but he's proven that he's not head coaching material. Michigan is taking a big risk here.
The Big Ten can eat him alive
When ranking the Big Ten coaches, Boynton is not going to be in anyone's top 10. His record in the Big 12 was a complete disaster, and the Big Ten is only going to be tougher. Yes, he inherits a top-five roster, and the players love him, but he never did anything special even with the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft. 11 wins is the most he had in the Big 12, and that translates to middle of the pack in the Big 10 at best. The entire conference is gunning for him now.
Expectations have been raised to a level that he has never reached before
With the Final Four in Detroit next April and Michigan being a favorite to get back there, expectations will be higher than they have ever been. Fans will demand no drop-off, more wins over Michigan State and another Big Ten championship banner to raise. Anything less and Michigan will go from national champion to yet another coaching change inside of it's two biggest sports money makers.
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