Mike Boyton has prove-it deal at Michigan. What he must accomplish to 'earn' Year 2

Mike Boynton Jr. will have one year to prove he deserves the second year of his two-year, $7.6 million contract as Michigan's men's basketball coach.

Per The Detroit News, part of the USA TODAY Network, Boynton must reach several benchmarks to earn a second season in replacement of Dusty May, who left to take over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA after two seasons in Ann Arbor.

REQUIRED READING: Warde Manuel explains rationale for Mike Boynton Jr.’s contract structure

Boynton initially was named the interim coach for May before being elevated to full-time head coach. In that time, the Wolverines lost only one player to the transfer portal in junior guard L.J. Cason, while retaining several highly rated transfers, recruits and players from last season's championship roster.

"The contract is one that really gives (Boynton) an opportunity to showcase and show what he can do," Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said on WTKA’s "The Michigan Insider" earlier this week (via The Detroit News). "It gives the ability for him to earn that extra year and maybe another contract is what I told him

"... I did a similar thing with Kevin Ollie (at UConn) by giving him a one-year contract. And then by December I gave him a full contract, and then another a year later when he wins the national title."

Here's what to know of Boynton's contract at Michigan, and what he must accomplish in Year 1 to see a second season with the Wolverines:

Mike Boynton contract details at Michigan

Boynton's contract at Michigan is worth $7.6 million over two years, should he coach both seasons for the Wolverines.

He will receive $3.6 million in the first year of the deal, which runs through April 30, 2027, and will earn $4 million the ensuing season – so long as he reaches it via several academic and performance-based benchmarks in Year 1. Here are the compliance and academic-related prerequisites he must meet:

Compliance

• No Level I or Level II NCAA violations
• No material misconduct or violations of university policies or rules

Academic

• All players must remain academically eligible

Per The Detroit News, "there are at least two" performance-related benchmarks Boynton must accomplish leading the team in 2026-27. They are:

Performance

• 24 regular-season wins
• Top-four finish in Big Ten standings
• Conference tournament title
• Sweet 16 appearance
• Final Four appearance (would guarantee Year 2 by itself)

Mike Boynton buyout information

Per The Detroit News, if Boynton is fired without cause before he finishes Year 1 of his contract, he would be paid $3 million, subtracting whatever he has already been paid by the university. If he is fired without cause in Year 2, he would be paid the remainder of his salary.

If he is fired without cause during or at the end of Year 1 – and having already met the criteria to earn a Year 2 – he would be owed $4 million.

Said Manuel of the contract:

"The contract was written in a way to show that I believe in Mike, but to also showcase his ability to earn it long term and not just sort of step into the seat. And I believe he will, personally.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Boyton has prove-it deal at Michigan. What he must accomplish to 'earn' Year 2