Who is the Basketball Coach at Oklahoma State?
Oklahoma State University (OSU) is home to one of the most successful and beloved basketball programs in the country. The men’s basketball team has made it to the NCAA Tournament a total of 26 times, including seven trips to the Final Four. OSU is also home to one of the most accomplished and respected coaches in the game, Mike Boynton, who has been the head coach of the Cowboys since 2017.
Background and Education
Coach Boynton was born and raised in Philadelphia, where he was a two-time All-City selection at Simon Gratz High School. After high school, he attended the University of South Carolina on a basketball scholarship, where he was a standout for the Gamecocks. He was a four-year starter and a three-time team captain and led the team to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 20 years.
After graduating from South Carolina, Coach Boynton began his coaching career as an assistant at the University of Pittsburgh. He then served as an assistant at Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of South Florida before joining Brad Underwood’s staff at Oklahoma State in 2016.
Rise to Head Coach
In 2017, Coach Boynton was promoted to head coach of the Oklahoma State Cowboys after the departure of Brad Underwood. He was the youngest head coach in the Big 12 at the time, and the first African-American head coach in the program’s history.
In his first season as head coach, Coach Boynton led the Cowboys to a 20-win season and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. The team was a No. 10 seed and lost in the first round to Michigan, but the performance was impressive considering the team’s lack of experience and youth.
The 2018-2019 Season
Coach Boynton’s second season at the helm of the Cowboys was even more impressive than the first. The team won 23 games, finished second in the Big 12, and reached the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season. The Cowboys were a No. 8 seed in the tournament and defeated No. 9 seed Ole Miss in the first round before falling to No. 1 seed Virginia in the second round.
The 2019-2020 Season
The 2019-2020 season was a special one for the Cowboys, as they won their first Big 12 regular season championship in 20 years. The team finished the regular season with a 24-7 record, and Coach Boynton was named Big 12 Coach of the Year for his efforts. The Cowboys were a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament and defeated Liberty in the first round before falling to No. 3 seed Houston in the second round.
The 2020-2021 Season
The 2020-2021 season was another successful one for the Cowboys, as they finished the regular season with a 21-7 record and finished second in the Big 12. Coach Boynton was once again named Big 12 Coach of the Year, and the team earned a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Unfortunately, the Cowboys were upset in the first round by No. 9 seed Wichita State.
Awards and Accomplishments
In his four seasons as head coach of the Oklahoma State Cowboys, Coach Boynton has racked up a number of awards and accomplishments. He was named Big 12 Coach of the Year in both 2019 and 2021, and he has led the Cowboys to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
Off the Court
In addition to his accomplishments on the court, Coach Boynton is also an active member of the community. He is a strong advocate for student-athletes and is a frequent guest speaker at local schools and organizations. He also serves on the board of the Oklahoma State University Foundation and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Recruiting
Coach Boynton is also an accomplished recruiter and has been able to attract some of the top talent in the nation to the Oklahoma State program. He has signed several highly-touted recruits over the past few years, including five-star point guard Cade Cunningham and four-star forward Kalib Boone.
The Future
Coach Boynton has established himself as one of the top coaches in the country and has the Oklahoma State Cowboys on the rise. The team is expected to contend for the Big 12 title again in 2021-2022, and the future looks bright for the Cowboys under Coach Boynton’s leadership.
Conclusion
Mike Boynton is the head coach of the Oklahoma State Cowboys men’s basketball team and is one of the top coaches in the country. He has led the Cowboys to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, won two Big 12 Coach of the Year awards, and has established himself as one of the best recruiters in the nation. With his passion and leadership, the future looks bright for the Cowboys under Coach Boynton’s guidance.
Mike Boynton, Oklahoma State, Cowboys, Basketball, Coach, Big 12, NCAA Tournament, Cade Cunningham, Kalib Boone