Episode 166: Mike Boynton, Being Adaptable In Your Coaching

Guest: Mike Boynton, Oklahoma State Head Coach

In this week's coaching conversation, Oklahoma State head coach Mike Boynton joins the podcast to share insights on being adaptable in your coaching.

Coach Boynton has built the program over his four seasons leading to an outstanding 2020-21 season where the Cowboys advanced to the finals of the Big 12 Championship, earned a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and ended the year ranked No. 11 in the Associated Press top-25 – all firsts since 2005. Oklahoma State’s first-round win in the NCAA Tournament was its first since 2009. In four seasons at the helm Boynton has compiled a 72-58 record while leading the Cowboys to 17 wins over ranked opponents, including 10 victories over top-10 squads.

In four seasons at the helm Boynton has compiled a 72-58 record while leading the Cowboys to 17 wins over ranked opponents, including 10 victories over top-10 squads. He also hauled in back-to-back top-25 recruiting classes, mentored eight All-Big 12 Conference selections and 11 Academic All-Big 12 team honorees.

Boynton's coaching career began as a graduate manager at Furman in 2004–05. He then moved on to be an assistant coach at Coastal Carolina University from 2005 to 2007 before moving to Wofford College (South Carolina) for the 2007–08 season as associate head coach. Boynton returned to Columbia for the 2008–09 season as an assistant coach and stayed until 2013. Boynton moved with fellow assistant Brad Underwood when the latter became the head coach at Stephen F. Austin State University, commencing with the 2013–14 season. When Underwood accepted the head coaching position at Oklahoma State, Boynton moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma to serve as an assistant coach.

Breakdown

1:00 - Slogan

5:00 - Posted Up Guards

10:00 - Players Playing Multiple Positions

14:00 - Analytics

21:00 - Getting to the Next Level

24:00 - Giving Up Switches

26:00 - Playing Off the Ball and Re-Spacing Action

32:00 - Value of Ball Reversal

34:00 - Coaches Being Adaptable

37:00 - Thinking From Player's Perspective

39:00 - His Basketball Philosophy