Michigan basketball officially announces hiring of six staff members

A former head coach in the Big 12. An assistant coach from the SEC. An assistant coach from the West Coast Conference. Three familiar faces from Florida Atlantic.

The pieces of Michigan basketball coach Dusty May’s first coaching staff are officially in place as the program announced six hirings on Thursday, highlighted by assistant coaches Mike Boynton Jr., Justin Joyner and Akeem Miskdeen.

Kyle Church, Drew Williamson and Brandon Gilbert — three staffers who worked alongside May at FAU — round out the new additions that will look to rebuild a program that’s coming off a historically bad campaign.

"I emphasized the importance of assembling a team of outstanding teachers who excel in communication and instruction. I'm happy to announce that we've achieved that goal,” May said in a statement.

“While I was already familiar with some of our coaches, I took great care in selecting the best candidates for the remaining positions. Together, this group has a broad basketball background, a strong work ethic and admirable personal attributes. I've already witnessed their unwavering commitment to success, and I'm incredibly impressed."

The blend of basketball minds starts with Boynton, who has over two decades of collegiate coaching experience and spent the last seven years as the head coach at Oklahoma State.

During his tenure at OSU, Boynton led the Cowboys to a 119-109 record and 24 wins over nationally ranked teams, which is the third-most in program history. He made one trip the NCAA Tournament in 2021, with a team that was led by top recruit and No. 1 draft pick Cade Cunningham.

Boynton coached Oklahoma State teams that ranked No. 17, No. 4 and No. 12 in the nation in KenPom.com’s defensive efficiency from 2020-23, and he’ll look to help establish a strong defensive identity with the Wolverines.

"I'm ecstatic for this opportunity to work at a world-class institution like the University of Michigan,” Boynton said. “The Michigan brand is one of the strongest in the world, and having the chance to assist in re-establishing the Wolverines as a championship program is a responsibility I will not take lightly.

“Most important for me, it is the opportunity to work for, and with, an elite winner like Coach May. My family and I cannot wait to move to Ann Arbor and get started on restoring the pride of all of the great Wolverines worldwide."

Joyner joins May’s staff after spending the last seven years on Randy Bennett’s staff at Saint Mary’s. Joyner started out as the director of operations for the 2017-18 season before he was promoted to assistant coach the next year and was elevated to associate head coach the past two seasons.

During his time at Saint Mary’s, Joyner helped coach the Gaels to two West Coast Conference regular-season titles, two conference tournament championships and four NCAA Tournament berths, and was a key recruiter who helped the program land top-150 recruits like Aidan Mahaney, a two-time All-WCC first-team selection.

Before making the jump to the collegiate level, Joyner spent seven years coaching on the AAU circuit and working as an individual skill development coach.

"When I learned about the opportunity to work with Coach May at the University of Michigan, I knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance,” Joyner said. “Working at a place with the rich tradition of Michigan and with a coach and person of Dusty's caliber is invigorating. I feel incredibly fortunate to join this staff, and although there is a lot of work ahead of us, I've never been one to shy away from a challenge. I am excited to embark on the journey of building a program that can contend for and win championships."

Miskdeen has served as a high-major assistant coach since 2011 and spent the past three seasons in the SEC, including the last two at Georgia. Before that, Miskdeen worked with May during his first three years at Florida Atlantic, where he helped lay the foundation for May’s successful run in Boca Raton.

But Miskdeen isn’t the only one with FAU ties. Church served as an assistant coach under May during his entire six-year tenure with the Owls and worked with May in past stops at Louisiana Tech and Florida. Like Church, Gilbert spent the last six seasons with May as the assistant to the head coach, and Williamson served as an assistant coach at FAU the past three years.

Church’s title, according to the program’s release, will be assistant coach/general manager, while Williamson will serve as an assistant coach/director of player development and Gilbert will be special assistant to the head coach.

The quartet will provide May with some familiarity and continuity, as he looks to establish a winning culture in Ann Arbor.

“I’m extremely blessed and excited to join the University of Michigan. Reuniting with Coach May makes this opportunity even more special,” Miskdeen said. “Growing up watching the Big Ten, particularly Michigan basketball, I know the strength of this program and league. Becoming a small part of its rich tradition and history means so much to me. I am going to work relentlessly to add to all of it and make sure we have every chance to succeed — on and off the floor."

The remainder of May's staff, including several support staff positions, still needs to be filled out.

jhawkins@detroitnews.com

@jamesbhawkins