Dusty May to Leave Michigan for Dallas Mavericks
University of Michigan men's basketball head coach Dusty May has accepted a coaching position with the Dallas Mavericks, the team announced Monday. The move comes less than three months after May led the Wolverines to the 2025 NCAA national championship and received the Henry Iba National Coach of the Year award.
Background
May joined Michigan in 2023 after coaching Florida Atlantic University (FAU) to a Final Four appearance. In his second season with the Wolverines, he won the national title with a starting lineup composed entirely of players who transferred to the school. Following the championship, multiple players from that roster entered the transfer portal.
Reasons for Departure
According to sources close to May, factors in his decision included the current state of college basketball recruiting, characterized by high roster turnover, increased agent involvement, and limited oversight from the NCAA.
During a prior conversation, May stated he did not envision coaching Michigan for more than a few years, citing rising roster costs, constant player turnover, and a lack of NCAA control as contributing factors. He also expressed a desire to eventually coach in the NBA, indicating he felt compelled to pursue that opportunity.
Timeline of Events
- April 13: May attended the Henry Iba National Coach of the Year ceremony in St. Louis. During the event, he received a verbal commitment from a transfer portal player, which ultimately did not materialize due to agent negotiations.
- April to June: May continued recruiting efforts but faced challenges retaining commitments.
- June: May agreed to a deal with the Dallas Mavericks after internal deliberation.
Impact on Michigan
Mike Boynton has been named interim head coach at Michigan. The Wolverines are projected as a preseason top-five team for the 2025-2026 season.
Related Trends
May is among several high-profile college basketball coaches to leave the profession in recent years, including Roy Williams, Mike Krzyzewski, Jay Wright, Tony Bennett, and Bruce Pearl. These departures have been accompanied by discussions regarding changes in the collegiate sports landscape.