ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Interim Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball head coach Mike Boynton Jr. said he was caught off guard by Dusty May‘s sudden departure but is focused on keeping the program’s championship momentum alive during an uncertain coaching transition.
Boynton Jr. addressed the sudden transition to the Big Ten Network after May left Michigan to become the Dallas Mavericks’ head coach ahead of the NBA draft, a move that came just months after May had led the Wolverines to one of the program’s most celebrated seasons in recent memory.
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“I found out Monday morning like everybody else,” said Boynton Jr.
Despite the abrupt exit, Boynton Jr. praised May and called the NBA opportunity well-deserved.
“First of all, what a tremendous opportunity,” Boynton Jr. said. “Dusty’s one of the elite basketball coaches in the world. He’s obviously done great work here at Michigan with us.”
May’s departure
May went 64-13 in two seasons at Michigan, leading the Wolverines to a national championship, a Big Ten regular-season title, and a Big Ten Tournament championship.
When May arrived in Ann Arbor in 2024, Michigan was coming off an 8-24 season under former head coach Juwan Howard.
Two years later, the Wolverines were national champions.
May released a statement Tuesday (June 23) thanking the Michigan community after accepting the Dallas head coaching position, ending a two-year tenure that helped restore the program to national prominence.
“When my family and I came to Ann Arbor two years ago, we hoped we could help bring Michigan basketball back to where it belongs,” May said. “I never could have imagined how special these last two seasons would be.”
May credited fans for embracing his family and supporting the program through every step of the journey.
“You packed Crisler, traveled all over the country, and supported our players through every high and low,” May said. “The memories we made together, from winning the Big Ten to cutting down the nets in Indianapolis, are ones my family and I will carry with us forever.”
“What I’ll miss most are the people,” May said. “Michigan is special because of all of you.”
May said the decision was personal, not easy.
“This wasn’t an easy decision,” May said. “An opportunity came along that was right for my family and something I felt I needed to pursue.”
May closed his statement with a message familiar to Wolverines fans: “Go Blue.”
Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel announced May’s departure, expressing gratitude while acknowledging the program’s loss.
“While we are disappointed to see Dusty leave Michigan, we are deeply grateful to the May family for the lasting impact they have made on our program and our university,” Manuel said.
The move makes May the first national championship-winning college basketball coach to leave for another job during the immediate offseason following a title since Larry Brown left Kansas for the NBA in 1988 after winning a championship with the Jayhawks.
Boynton named interim head coach
Manuel appointed Boynton Jr. as interim head coach while the university evaluates its long-term options.
“Mike has been an invaluable member of our staff and a respected leader throughout his career,” Manuel said. “His experience, character, and commitment to our values make him the right person to guide the team during this transition.”
Boynton Jr., 44, joined May’s staff and became a key figure in Michigan’s success, earning a reputation as the architect of the Wolverines’ defense.
He previously spent seven seasons as head coach at Oklahoma State, where he coached Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, selected by the Detroit Pistons, and guided the Cowboys to an NCAA Tournament appearance.
Boynton Jr. said his focus is on continuing the program’s tradition of success and serving the players already in place.
“What we did this year is obviously the ultimate of what can be accomplished at the University of Michigan,” Boynton said. “We’ve got really good players, really good resources, a great fan base, and I’m excited to serve our players and our program.”
Roster, recruiting outlook
The coaching change comes at a critical point in the offseason as Michigan works to maintain its championship momentum.
Michigan’s incoming class includes five-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr., along with J.P. Estrella and Moustapha Thiam.
The program also hopes to retain sophomore guard Trey McKenney and senior guard Elliot Cadeau, who earned Most Outstanding Player honors at the 2026 NCAA Men’s Final Four.
Boynton Jr. expressed confidence that the relationships built between the coaching staff and players will help hold the roster together.
Victors always stay #HA1L #GoBlue
— Trey McKenney (@mckenneytrey1) June 22, 2026
“We feel good about the relationships that our staff has with the players on the team,” Boynton Jr. said. “These guys all committed to come to Michigan to play together, and the team that we put together, we feel like can compete nationally and certainly at the higher end of the Big Ten.”
Boynton Jr. noted that conversations with players are ongoing and welcomed the public statements from players who have already expressed their intention to stay.
“I’m glad for all the guys who’ve already made their intentions known, and I look forward to continuing to talk to the guys who haven’t officially and getting them on board as well,” Boynton Jr. said.
Style of play, continuity
As for what Michigan basketball will look like under Boynton Jr., the interim coach indicated fans shouldn’t expect dramatic changes.
“We’ll continue to play the system that we’ve played the last couple years with Dusty,” Boynton Jr. said. “We’ll play a lot through our ones and fives. Our wings will be dynamic playmakers and shooters.”
The coaching change also draws a parallel to another high-profile Michigan transition.
Manuel previously navigated the football program’s shift after Jim Harbaugh left following the Wolverines’ national title season in 2023, when he promoted Sherrone Moore.
Whether Michigan chooses to promote from within long-term or conduct a national search for its next permanent head coach remains uncertain.
For now, Boynton’s focus remains on keeping Michigan’s hard-earned momentum alive.