Michigan basketball has officially announced the hiring of Bertram "Buzzy" Caruthers as its new director of player development. Although his name has already appeared in the University of Michigan athletics directory, the program had not made a formal announcement until now.
Caruthers brings a wealth of experience to the Wolverines, having most recently served as an assistant coach at Ball State in 2024. Prior to that, he held positions at Missouri State from 2022 to 2024 and at Nebraska from 2019 to 2022, where he notably worked as the director of player development. His diverse coaching background positions him well to contribute to Michigan's player growth and overall program development.
With Caruthers' addition, Michigan has rounded out its coaching staff by bringing on three new assistant coaches: Mike Martin from Brown, Dylan Murphy from the Osceola Magic, and Caruthers himself. These new hires fill the gaps left by Justin Joyner, who moved to Oregon State, Drew Williamson, who joined the Dallas Mavericks, and Mike Boynton Jr., who took over as head coach of the Wolverines after Dusty May's departure earlier this summer.
A Kansas City native, Caruthers began his coaching career at Barstow High School in Kansas City from 2007 to 2011. He was also a founding member of the MoKan Elite, a program that has gained recognition as one of the top travel basketball programs in the country. Additionally, he spent a year at his alma mater, Sumner Academy of Arts and Science, during the 2011-2012 season, further solidifying his commitment to player development.
As Michigan prepares for its upcoming international trip to Lithuania and Croatia from August 21 to 29, the addition of Caruthers comes at a crucial time. The Wolverines will return just in time for their exhibition games, including a highly anticipated matchup against Houston on October 25 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. This game is expected to be a significant test for the team as they gear up for the regular season.
With the new coaching staff in place and a challenging schedule ahead, Michigan basketball looks to build on its tradition of excellence and develop its players into top-tier athletes. The hiring of Bertram Caruthers is a strategic move aimed at enhancing the player development aspect of the program, which will be vital as the team approaches the new season.
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