Coaching Shift: Boynton Leads Michigan Title Defense

Mike Boynton now holds the keys to a defending national champion program. He replaced Dusty May at Michigan after May departed for the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. The move marks a second chance for Boynton, who previously led Oklahoma State to a 119-109 record over seven seasons. His time at Oklahoma State ended abruptly after a 12-20 finish in the 2023-24 campaign.

Boynton spent the last two years on May’s staff in Ann Arbor. Michigan first named him interim head coach before signing him to a two-year contract. He views his recent tenure as an assistant as a period of growth. He described the experience as a sabbatical where he learned from May’s management style. He cited the opportunity to observe how May builds a high-functioning organization and delegates responsibilities to specific personnel.

The Michigan transition is the centerpiece of a busy coaching carousel this fall. Other major programs also made changes. North Carolina hired Michael Malone, a former NBA head coach, to replace Hubert Davis. Malone had no previous ties to the Tar Heels program. He went 510-394 as an NBA coach from 2013 to 2025 and won a championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2023. Davis left after guiding the team to the 2022 championship game with a 125-54 record over five years.

LSU brought back Will Wade for a second stint. The school originally fired him in 2022 following a recruiting violation citation. Matt McMahon replaced Wade but was dismissed after a 60-70 record in four seasons. Wade won 105 games in his first six years at LSU and reached the NCAA Tournament three times. He also led McNeese and N.C. State to tournament berths during his time away. N.C. State hired Justin Gainey, a former player at the school, to succeed Wade. Gainey most recently served as an assistant at Tennessee.

Syracuse hired Gerry McNamara, a former player for the Orange, to replace Adrian Autry. McNamara holds the school records for three-pointers and minutes played. He led Siena to a 23-12 record and an NCAA bid last season. Autry was let go after a 49-48 record without a tournament appearance in three years. Kansas State fired Jerome Tang after four seasons that included a 45-47 overall record. Casey Alexander, who holds a 303-180 career mark, was named the new head coach.

Changes also occurred in women’s basketball. Alabama reinstated Pauline Love as head coach after her return as an assistant in 2024-25. She replaced Kristy Curry, who moved to South Florida. Georgia parted ways with Katie Abrahamson-Henderson after a 69-59 record in four years. Ayla Guzzardo, who led McNeese to a school-record 29 wins, takes over the job. Northwestern hired Carla Berube, who went 147-29 at Princeton over six years. Joe McKeown retired after 18 seasons with a 276-279 record.

Virginia hired Aaron Rousell from Richmond, where he posted a 148-72 record and three straight NCAA bids. He replaces Amaka Agugua-Hamilton, who was fired in April after the team fell in the Sweet 16. Georgetown hired a new coach to replace the previous staff after a 43-57 record in three seasons. The incoming coach previously led Providence to a 242-153 record over 12 years. Rhode Island’s Tammi Reiss, who went 138-73 in seven years, is the next hire mentioned in the carousel.