The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 37 ❱ MICHIGAN BASKETBALL head coach is ever ready, and Mike was thrown into an environment to go with your gut as much as you protect what's been done before. The daily learning that we do here in our growth processes is as good as anywhere in bas- ketball. We've all gotten a lot better in the last two years. "You factor that in with the rela- tionship-building that he does, and the quality of the staff … I've said this repeatedly. It wasn't just me, and it wasn't him. It was everything we did. We worked well together." May gave Boynton the highest praise during U-M's run to the Final Four when he said, "He's every bit as good as me." While that's a high bar, Boynton will get a chance to prove it this year, and he's excited for the opportunity even with the lofty goals in front of him. While some have wondered if his deal should have been longer term, Boynton insisted he had no complaints. "This job should have high expecta- tions," Boynton said of his contract. "It's the University of Michigan. We play in the Big Ten. We're coming off one of the greatest years in college basketball his- tory, not even just our program. There should be no expectation that those de- sires and those goals change. "We have a good roster. We feel like we have a really good staff, and now it's time to turn the page and attack it." Boynton will reportedly make $3.6 million in his first year and will get a bump to $4 million if he's retained for his second. He had the support of the returning Wolverines, especially guards Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney, two huge contributors to last year's squad, and is ready to get after it. "I signed a contract that I read over. I felt comfortable with it," Boynton said. "What I'm focused on now is this team and the opportunity we have to try to build another championship type of season." COACHING STAFF IS NOW COMPLETE Head coach Mike Boynton Jr. will get a boost from what's expected to be an outstanding staff, including some hold- overs from May's group. Kyle Church, tied at the hip with May for several years, will stick around as an assistant, as will Akeem Miskdeen. Former Brown head coach Mike Martin and NBA G League Osceola Magic head coach Dylan Murphy are two more additions who are being lauded by basketball experts. Murphy spent the last eight years with the Orlando Magic organization, moving up the ranks from basketball operations analyst to assistant coach to head coach with the organization's G League affiliate. "Dylan has earned tremendous respect throughout basketball because of the way he develops players and builds rela- tionships," Boynton said in a release. "He brings valuable experience from both the NBA and G League, and his ability to combine teaching, analytics and com- munication will have an immediate im- pact on our program. Just as importantly, he shares our values and our vision for what Michigan basketball should be." Murphy spent the last three years as Osceola's coach, earning three straight Eastern Conference No. 1 seeds and NBA G League Coach of the Month hon- ors in March 2025. Murphy also coached Orlando's 2024 Summer League team. During his tenure, Murphy helped develop 2024 G League MVP Mac Mc- Clung and helped multiple players earn All-NBA G League honors and Next Up Game selections, while nine players re- ceived NBA call-ups. Longtime Dusty May assistant Kyle Church was retained by Boynton. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY