Boynton Inherits Title Defense After May's NBA Departure

The 2025-26 season presents a unique test for a new head coach taking over a program that just won a national championship. Mike Boynton now leads Michigan, a team that defended its title status following the departure of the coach who built that dynasty. The situation places Boynton in a position to validate his long-time role within the program while managing a roster that did not require a complete rebuild.

Boynton spent seven seasons at Oklahoma State, compiling an 119-109 record and one NCAA Tournament appearance. He was dismissed after the 2023-24 campaign ended with a 12-20 record. For the following two years, he served as an assistant under Dusty May at Michigan. When May accepted a position with the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA, Michigan appointed Boynton as interim head coach. The university subsequently formalized the appointment with a two-year contract.

Boynton characterized his two-year stint on May's staff as a period of intensive learning. During Big Ten media days, he described the experience as a sabbatical that improved his leadership abilities. He cited daily interaction with May as a method for understanding how to manage personnel and delegate duties within a high-performing organization. He stated that he learned how to identify specific strengths in players and allow them to excel in those areas.

Michigan's coaching change was the most prominent transaction in a busy offseason for college basketball. Several other major programs made sweeping changes to their staffs. At Kansas State, Casey Alexander replaced Jerome Tang. Tang had gone 26-10 in his first year but finished with a 45-47 record over the next three seasons. Alexander brings a career record of 303-180 from stops at Stetson, Lipscomb, and Belmont.

LSU hired Will Wade for a second tenure. He was fired in 2022 over recruiting violations and was succeeded by Matt McMahon. McMahon went 60-70 in four seasons. Wade has since led McNeese and N.C. State to NCAA Tournament appearances. His return to N.C. State was brief, as he went 20-14 in one season before the Wolfpack hired Justin Gainey. Gainey is a first-time head coach who most recently served on the Tennessee staff.

North Carolina made a distinctive choice by hiring Michael Malone. Malone has no prior connection to the Tar Heels and no experience as a college head coach. He owns a 510-394 record as an NBA coach and won a championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2023. He replaces Hubert Davis, who went 125-54 in five years and reached the 2022 NCAA championship game.

Syracuse welcomed back Gerry McNamara, who holds the school records for 3-point baskets and minutes played. McNamara led Siena to a 23-12 record and an NCAA berth last season. He replaces Adrian Autry, who was fired after a 49-48 record in three years. On the women's side, Pauline Love returned to Alabama after serving as an assistant for one year. She had previously worked at Oklahoma.

Tammi Reiss took the helm at a new program after going 138-73 in seven years at Rhode Island. She replaces Kelly Rae Finley, who was dismissed after five seasons. Ayla Guzzardo, who led McNeese to a school-record 29 wins, was hired by Georgia. This followed a mutual parting of ways with Katie Abrahamson-Henderson, who finished with a 69-59 record in four years.