Peeking inside Boynton’s new contract
Oklahoma State coach Mike Boynton remained focused on basketball this past season, not his contract status. That led to great things.
A string of wins over top-10 teams. A run to the Big 12 Tournament championship game. The program’s first NCAA Tournament win since 2009.
And a seven-year contract extension and pay raise that was negotiated in about a week after the season ended.
“We weren’t going to talk about it until after the season,” Boynton told The Oklahoman. “During the season, my job is to focus on helping our team be better. I try to do my best to keep my focus there. I talk to my team about not having distractions. I try to live out everything I tell them to do.
“We’re in this together.” Thirteen days after Boynton and OSU agreed to the extension, details have emerged about the contract that no longer leaves him as the lowest-paid coach in the Big 12.
Boynton will receive $2.1 million each year beginning July 1 through the 2027-28 season, according to the con
tract obtained by The Oklahoman. He also received a raise to $500,000 from $100,000 for his annual stay benefit.
Boynton’s salary for the remainder of his current contract from March 29-June 30 is $2,825,000.
Should Boynton be fired, OSU’s buyout the first three seasons is 75% of the contract. In 2024-25, the buyout is 66.67% and the final three seasons are 60%.
If Boynton were to depart without permission from the athletic director, he would owe 75% of the contract the first three seasons. The percentage drops to 44.44% in the 2024-25 season and 25% the year after. Boynton will not owe the university a portion of his remaining salary the final two seasons of the contract should he leave.
The contract also includes the “force majeure” clause that was added to football head coach Mike Gundy’s contract last summer. The clause would give the athletic director discretion to alter the agreement due to instances of natural disasters, pandemics, “acts of God” and more.
Boynton said the contract was primarily negotiated by athletic director Mike Holder, who is retiring this summer .
Thompson leaving Kansas
Could the state’s most-recent fivestar recruit be heading home?
Bryce Thompson — a Tulsa Booker T. Washington graduate — announced Tuesday that he is entering the transfer portal following a tough freshman season at Kansas.
“While it was a difficult year for many reasons, I am thankful to have had the opportunity to play at the University of Kansas,” Thompson wrote on Twitter . “Thanks to Coach (Bill) Self and his staff, the doctors, trainers, my teammates and the fans for your support all season long.”
All four in-state Division I programs should be interested.
Thompson was recruited heavily by both OU and OSU before choosing Kansas. His parents were also athletes at Tulsa, which could be in the mix again. Oral Roberts also recently added Thompson’s Booker T. Washington teammate Trey Phipps to the roster.
A McDonald’s All-American, Thompson never got going offensively for the Jayhawks. Injuries played a huge part.
He cracked a vertebrae in his lower back during a practice after winter break. When he returned on Jan. 12 at OSU, he broke his right index finger and underwent surgery. He missed another month.
But that shouldn’t overshadow the immense talent Thompson possesses. He can instantly improve any of the instate programs.
Cunningham hires agent
Former OSU superstar Cade Cunningham has hired an agent.
The 6-foot-8 point guard who is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft signed with Excel Sports Management. He will be represented by Jeff Schwartz and James Dunleavy.
Cunningham could be Excel’s second No. 1 overall pick this year.
The agency also represents former Clemson star Trevor Lawrence. Other basketball clients include CJ McCollum, Nikola Jokic, Tyler Herro and Kemba Walker.
Tulsa hires former Oklahoma prep star
Tulsa is turning to a former Oklahoma high school star to lead its women’s basketball program.
Arizona State associate head coach Angie Nelp was introduced on Tuesday. A former Canadian High star and the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year, Nelp replaces former Norman coach Matilda Mossman.
Nelp — known as Angie Gorton in high school — was a member of The Oklahoman’s Super 5 team in 1998, her senior season in which she led Canadian to the state title.
She went on to play at Colorado State, where she was inducted into the university’s hall of fame in 2019.
Nelp has coached 13 seasons at the Division I level.
Big 12 tip-ins
Veteran OU assistant Jim Molinari is headed to Boston College to join Earl Grant’s staff, Yahoo! Sports reports. Molinari spent two seasons with the Sooners and was instrumental with the defense. ... OSU guard Ferron Flavors Jr. is transferring to Robert Morris University, he announced Tuesday. ... Texas and new coach Chris Beard received a double dose of good news Tuesday. Veteran Andrew Jones announced he will return. Kentucky freshman Devin Askew committed to transfer to the Longhorns.