Mike Boynton Hires Brown Head Coach Mike Martin As Michigan Assistant

Following a whirlwind stretch in Ann Arbor that saw Dusty May take a sudden detour to the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, the Michigan Wolverines acted decisively by naming Mike Boynton Jr. as their new head coach. On July 13, 2026, Boynton made his first splash by securing a premier strategic mind to anchor his bench, hiring long-time Brown University head coach Mike Martin as an assistant.  

Martin’s decision to step down from his head coaching role on College Hill to accept a high-level assistant position in the Big Ten highlights the gravitational pull of the Michigan program. For Boynton, landing a seasoned former head coach as his first official staff addition is a home run. It gives the new-look Wolverines a unique blend of veteran leadership, tactical flexibility, and proven player development chops.

The Evolution of an Ivy League Institution

To understand the weight of this hire, one has to understand what Mike Martin meant to Brown University. Martin didn't just coach the Bears; he was an institution there.

A four-year starter for the Bears from 2000 to 2004, Martin was part of the winningest class in school history as a player. After a six-year apprenticeship as an assistant coach at Penn—where he helped guide the Quakers to an Ivy League title and an NCAA Tournament appearance—he returned to his alma mater in 2012. Appointed at just 29 years old, he was the fourth-youngest head coach in Division I men's basketball at the time.  

Over the next 14 seasons, Martin completely reshaped the expectations around a historically difficult job. In February 2023, he became the winningest head coach in Brown history. His career highlights include:  

 2018-19 Season: Formulated the first-ever 20-win season in Brown basketball history (20-12), earning him Ivy League Coach of the Year honors.  

 The 2024 Heartbreaker: Orchestrated a thrilling postseason run that fell exactly one bucket short of the NCAA Tournament, losing a 62-61 buzzer-beater in the Ivy League Championship game to Yale.  

 Tough-Minded Identity: Built a reputation for tough, disciplined defense and player development, maximizing rosters without the luxury of athletic scholarships.

Why the Move Makes Sense for Martin and Michigan

Transitioning from a head coaching seat to an assistant role is a calculated gamble, but it is one that offers Martin a high-leverage launchpad. At 44 years old, Martin has conquered the unique challenges of the Ivy League. Stepping onto a major Big Ten stage allows him to showcase his schematic brilliance and recruiting acumen within the modernized landscape of NIL and the transfer portal, ultimately positioning him for high-major head coaching opportunities down the line.

For Boynton and Michigan, Martin fills a crucial void. The Wolverines' coaching staff was depleted when former assistants Drew Williamson and Mody Maor followed Dusty May to Dallas. In Martin, Boynton gains a trusted confidant who knows exactly what it is like to sit in the primary chair.

Boynton expressed immense enthusiasm for the hire in an official statement:

"Mike is someone I've admired for a long time. He's an outstanding coach, an exceptional teacher and one of the best recruiters in the game, but more than anything, he's a great person who truly invests in his players. At Brown, he's built consistently competitive teams through player development and a winning culture, and those values align perfectly with what we're building here in Ann Arbor."

What Martin Brings to the Floor

Michigan fans can expect Martin to heavily influence the team's defensive identity and tactical preparation. Historically, his Brown teams played a disciplined, high-IQ brand of basketball. He is highly regarded for his capability to maximize modern analytical spacing while demanding strict accountability on the defensive end.

Furthermore, Martin has a fascinating, pre-existing tie to the modern roster. In the 2024 Ivy League Championship heartbreak, Martin's Brown squad was ultimately undone by Yale star—and subsequent Michigan center—Danny Wolf. The ironies of college basketball now bring those former Ivy League rivals together on the same side of the court in the Big Ten.

As Boynton continues to piece together the remaining spots on his coaching staff, securing Mike Martin sets a remarkably high standard for the new era of Michigan basketball. The Wolverines possess a roster built to compete immediately, and with Martin bringing his 14 years of head coaching wisdom to support Boynton, the strategic brain trust in Ann Arbor looks as formidable as any in the country.