OSU Basketball: Mike Boynton Expects to be Back Next Season
Oklahoma State’s head coach might not be going anywhere after this season.
Despite rumors and outspoken criticism from the fanbase, Mike Boynton’s job could be safe. On Thursday, Boynton said he had no reason to believe he wouldn’t be back next season.
Mike Boynton said he doesn't have any reason to believe he won't be back next season.
— Marshall Scott (@MarshallScottOK) March 7, 2024
Added he has never had a discussion with AD Chad Weiberg about his job status in the middle of a season.
With Boynton saying he has never discussed his job security midseason with athletic director Chad Weiberg, nothing is necessarily set in stone. Struggles over the past few seasons have led to doubts about his ability to lead the program.
Some of those doubts are warranted, but moving on from Boynton now presents challenges, particularly with his contract. Boynton signed a seven-year extension in 2021 that runs through the 2027-28 season.
With four full seasons left on his contract, OSU owes Boynton $10 million. The buyout for Boynton’s contract is 75% until April 1, when it drops to 66.67%.
Although the prospect of bringing someone in to revive Cowboy basketball could be worth the $6.67 million, there is obviously no guarantee a coaching change would push the program in the right direction.
Travis Ford’s time with the program is a useful measuring stick when assessing Boynton's future at OSU. Ford spent eight seasons at OSU, making five NCAA Tournaments.
Boynton reached the big dance once, in 2021, in his only season with a winning percentage of at least 60%, a feat Ford accomplished four times.
In the middle of a 12-18 season, Boynton’s shortcomings as a coach and OSU’s shortcomings as a team have shined through more than any other season. With Boynton’s recent rant on NIL, his vision for the program is clear, but he might not be able to execute it under the current circumstances.
Some OSU professors have seven years to prove themselves and earn tenure. If OSU uses that same standard on the basketball court, Boynton’s time might be up.
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Ivan is a sports media student at Oklahoma State University. He has covered OSU athletics since 2022 and also covers the OKC Thunder for Inside The Thunder and Thunderous Intentions.