--- title: "Warde Manuel names Mike Boynton interim coach after Dusty May leaves for Mavericks" description: "Michigan AD Warde Manuel praises Dusty May’s two-year run that delivered a national title, then names Mike Boynton interim coach as the Wolverines pivot to summer workouts." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/michigan-ad-warde-manuel-releases-statement-on-dusty-may-s-d-a9ba8759 published: 2026-06-30T19:25:50.225+00:00 updated: 2026-06-30T19:25:50.225+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["basketball"] --- # Warde Manuel names Mike Boynton interim coach after Dusty May leaves for Mavericks > Michigan AD Warde Manuel praises Dusty May’s two-year run that delivered a national title, then names Mike Boynton interim coach as the Wolverines pivot to summer workouts. Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel announced Dusty May’s departure to the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, capping a two-year tenure that delivered the Wolverines’ first national basketball title in 37 years. In a statement released by the university, Manuel praised May’s leadership and impact, calling his tenure historic. The AD also named Oklahoma State associate head coach Mike Boynton as interim head coach, tasking him with guiding the Wolverines through summer workouts and the transition period. May’s exit comes just months after Michigan’s 85-76 victory over Purdue in the 2024 NCAA Tournament final, a milestone that ended the program’s championship drought dating back to 1989. Under May, the Wolverines went 54-14 overall and 28-10 in Big Ten play, including a 16-4 conference record in his second season. The program’s rise under May included a 2023-24 campaign where Michigan secured a No. 1 seed and advanced to the Final Four before claiming the title. His tenure also featured a 2023 Sweet 16 run, proving the Wolverines could compete at the highest level consistently. Boynton, 47, arrives with NBA experience as a former assistant coach for the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder, in addition to his collegiate roles. His interim tag means Michigan will enter the 2024-25 season without a permanent coach, raising questions about roster continuity and recruiting. The Wolverines are scheduled to begin summer workouts in early June, with Boynton expected to oversee those sessions and the transfer portal window. His arrival also marks the fourth interim coach in Michigan’s program history, a rarity that underscores the volatility of recent coaching transitions. The abruptness of May’s departure—announced mere weeks after winning a national title—mirrors recent trends in college basketball where coaches leverage championship success for NBA opportunities. Programs like UConn with Dan Hurley and Florida Atlantic with Dusty May himself have faced similar transitions. This pattern reflects the league’s increasing fluidity, where even championship-level success doesn’t guarantee long-term stability. For Michigan, the timing forces Boynton to manage expectations immediately, balancing the excitement of a title-winning roster with the practicalities of an interim role. Boynton’s appointment also highlights Michigan’s strategic shift toward experienced NBA-connected assistants during transitional periods. His background with the Celtics and Thunder provides a pipeline to elite-level coaching philosophies, which could help Michigan maintain its competitive edge. The interim tag, while risky, allows the athletic department to conduct a thorough search without the pressure of an immediate hire, giving Boynton a window to prove his fit for the permanent role. Reaction to May’s departure has focused on the abruptness of the move and the challenge ahead for Boynton. Former Michigan players and staff have noted the program’s newfound culture under May, which will now be tested without his leadership. Athletic department officials emphasized stability, stating Boynton’s interim role allows for a smooth transition while the search for a permanent coach continues. Some alumni have privately expressed concern about the interim tag’s potential to disrupt recruiting pipelines, particularly with top prospects eying long-term stability. What’s next: Michigan will hold a press conference with Boynton next week to outline his vision for the program. The athletic department is expected to begin a formal coaching search in the coming weeks, with candidates likely to include high-major assistants and former head coaches. For the Wolverines, the priority is maintaining momentum in recruiting and player development during the interim period, especially with key transfers and incoming freshmen due to arrive in the fall. The interim tag also forces Boynton to quickly establish credibility with recruits and current players. Michigan’s 2024 recruiting class, ranked in the top 10 nationally, will be his first major test. If Boynton can retain those commitments and keep the locker room united, he could position himself as a leading candidate for the permanent job—a scenario that has played out at other programs in recent years. ## Why this matters Dusty May’s abrupt exit to the NBA after delivering Michigan’s first national basketball title in 37 years forces the Wolverines into a leadership transition. With Mike Boynton stepping in as interim coach, the program must stabilize during summer workouts and prepare for the next season under interim leadership. The interim tag introduces risk—losing recruits or transfers—but also opportunity if Boynton can leverage the program’s recent success to build trust quickly. The timing of May’s departure, just weeks after a title, reflects broader trends in college basketball where championship success accelerates coaching transitions. ## Frequently asked ### Who replaced Dusty May as Michigan basketball coach? Mike Boynton was named interim head coach following Dusty May’s departure to the Dallas Mavericks. ### How long did Dusty May coach at Michigan? May spent two seasons at Michigan, winning the national championship in 2024 after a 37-year title drought. ### What did Warde Manuel say about Dusty May’s tenure? Manuel praised May’s impact, highlighting the national title and his leadership over two seasons before his move to the NBA. ### Will Mike Boynton remain interim coach beyond this season? The university has not announced permanent coaching plans; Boynton’s role is interim for now. ### When did Dusty May leave for the Dallas Mavericks? May’s departure to the Mavericks was announced after Michigan’s 2024 national title run. ### What is Mike Boynton’s coaching background? Boynton has NBA experience as a former assistant with the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder, alongside collegiate roles at Oklahoma State and elsewhere. ## Sources & Citations - [Michigan AD Warde Manuel releases statement on Dusty May’s departure - Maize n Brew](https://www.maizenbrew.com/michigan-athletic-department/116819/michigan-wolverines-basketball-warde-manuel-statement-dusty-may-dallas-mavericks) — NewsAPI.org (2026-06-23) --- Cite: Warde Manuel names Mike Boynton interim coach after Dusty May leaves for Mavericks. Sportopod, 2026-06-30. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/michigan-ad-warde-manuel-releases-statement-on-dusty-may-s-d-a9ba8759