Giving an appropriate, well-earned, reasonable raise to a coach is everything was a well-thought-out, risk-averse move by Mike Holder.
Boynton knew the questions about his salary — $1 million, last in the Big 12 — would come as his first season ended. He also knew discussions would take place. And he knew he had solid relationships with the powers that be — the people, like athletic director Mike Holder, who saw something in him before anyone else.
The result of those relationships: Boynton and Oklahoma State agreed to a new six-year, $11.5-million contract on Tuesday, six days after his first year as head coach ended in the NIT quarterfinals.