Whatever happens, Michigan basketball head coach Mike Boynton may never get another chance like this one.
After seven years as Oklahoma State's head coach, in which the Cowboys had one NCAA Tournament appearance and three 20-win seasons, Boynton has taken the helm of the defending national champions.
Boynton wasn't gifted the job. And for all the fans who wanted Warde Manuel to try and lure away another big-name head coach, Jeff Goodman of Field of 64 reported that Michigan did just that.
It didn't work. Beyond that, Boynton retained all 14 players on the roster. We have gotten official word that LJ Cason will be back, but he re-posted Boynton's announcement as head coach, so that seems like a positive sign.
Boynton kept four top-100 signees. He also kept multiple players, who have the potential to be first-round picks, namely Trey McKenny, Brandon McCoy, and Moustapha Thiam.
That alone is a reason to feel good about his future as Michigan's head coach, but for all the fans worried about the future, here are three reasons to believe in Mike Boynton.
An elite defensive coach
When May was hired as Michigan basketball head coach, he had a reputation for being an elite offensive coach. Defense was viewed as a weakness. One move that May made to rectify that was hire Boynton, a coach he didn't have any ties with.
Boynton was just fired from the Oklahoma State job. He coached the Cowboys to three 20-wins seasonns, but just one NCAA Tournament berth. Michigan's new head coach also had to deal with sanctions that had nothing to do with him.
If there is one thing Boynton proved at Oklahoma State, it was that he understands how to build an elite defense. In 2021-22, Oklahoma State had the No. 4 adjusted defensive via KenPom. Outside of the last season, he had three top-20 defenses in a row.
That doesn't happen by accident. If Michigan can build a top-five defense next season, that will be massive in terms of making another run at the national title, or at least being one of the better teams in the Big Ten.
Players want to play for him
One of the most important jobs for any head coach is acquiring talent. Whether that is through the transfer portal or high school recruiting, you have to get some of the best players in the country to join your program, or it will be hard to win games.
May was elite at building a roster. Boynton surely learned some lessons. Not many would have predicted him going 14/14 in terms of player retention. Cade Cunningham was a No. 1 overall pick for a reason. Moussa Cisse also made the league and won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
Michigan had multiple NBA-caliber players who could have departed, and they all decided to stick with Boynton as the head coach. That has to mean something.
Extremely motivated
Boynton might never get a better chance than his one, with a better roster, to lock down one of the best jobs in college basketball. If Michigan makes another deep run in the tournament, it could be a springboard to more success.
One thing that hasn't been talked about a ton is that Elliot Cadeau could stick around for another season due to the 5-for-5. Akeem Miskdeen appears to be staying, which would help in that effort. Beyond that, Boynton has four elite freshman to develop, along with a young roster.
McKenney, Thiam, and J.P. Estrella all have multiple years of eligibility. McKenney could have three if he wants, but he feels like a 2027 NBA first-round pick.
Boynton got a two-year deal. It's really an audition for the job, but with all of the talent and Boynton's overlooked ability, this is a hire Michigan fans should feel good about.
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