Few coaches in college basketball have risen as quickly as Dusty May. From guiding a mid-major program to the Final Four to leading Michigan to a national championship and then making a stunning move to the NBA, May has become one of the most talked-about names in basketball. His decision to leave Michigan for the Dallas Mavericks has reshaped both the college and professional basketball landscapes.
Who Is Dusty May?
Dusty May is an American basketball coach known for his ability to rebuild programs and develop winning cultures. Born in Indiana, May began his basketball journey as a student manager under legendary coach Bob Knight at Indiana Hoosiers men’s basketball before working his way through several assistant coaching positions.
His coaching stops included:
- USC (video coordinator)
- Indiana University
- Eastern Michigan
- Murray State
- UAB
- Louisiana Tech
- Florida
- Florida Atlantic
- Michigan
May’s reputation as a program builder grew steadily throughout his career before he became one of the most sought-after coaches in college basketball.
Dusty May’s Success at Florida Atlantic
May took over the FAU program in 2018 and transformed it into a national contender. His biggest breakthrough came during the 2022-23 season when he led the Owls to an unexpected Final Four appearance, one of the greatest Cinderella runs in recent NCAA Tournament history.
During his six seasons at Florida Atlantic, May compiled a 126-69 record and became the winningest coach in program history. His success made him a top candidate for major coaching vacancies across the country.
Dusty May at Michigan
In March 2024, Michigan hired May to revive a struggling program following a difficult season. The turnaround was immediate. In his first season, the Wolverines returned to national relevance, and in his second year they reached even greater heights.
Michigan’s 2025-26 season under May included:
- 37-3 overall record
- Big Ten regular-season championship
- Big Ten Tournament title
- NCAA National Championship
- No. 1 national ranking
- Big Ten Coach of the Year honors for May
Michigan’s national title was the program’s first championship since 1989, cementing May’s place among the elite coaches in college basketball.
Why Is Dusty May Leaving Michigan?
The biggest basketball story of June 2026 became official when reports emerged that May was leaving Michigan to become the next head coach of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. The move came only months after winning the NCAA championship and shortly after Michigan had expressed its commitment to keeping him long term.
Several factors reportedly influenced the decision:
- Opportunity to coach NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg
- Chance to lead an NBA franchise
- Growing challenges surrounding NIL and transfer portal management in college athletics
- A new professional challenge after reaching the pinnacle of college basketball
May becomes one of the rare coaches to jump directly from a national championship-winning college program to an NBA head coaching position.
Dusty May and the Dallas Mavericks
According to multiple reports, the Dallas Mavericks selected May as their new head coach following the departure of Jason Kidd. The Mavericks are entering a new era centered around young superstar Cooper Flagg and hope May can bring the same culture-building skills that made him successful at FAU and Michigan.
Although May has never coached in the NBA, his ability to build winning teams, recruit talent, and maximize player development made him an attractive candidate. The Mavericks view him as a long-term leader capable of guiding the franchise back into championship contention.
Dusty May Career Record and Achievements
Career Highlights
- Final Four appearance with Florida Atlantic (2023)
- NCAA National Championship with Michigan (2026)
- Big Ten regular-season champion
- Big Ten Tournament champion
- Conference USA Coach of the Year
- Big Ten Coach of the Year
- Henry Iba Award winner
Head Coaching Record
- Florida Atlantic: 126-69
- Michigan: 64-13
- Overall: 190-82
What Happens Next for Michigan?
May’s departure creates one of the biggest openings in college basketball. Reports indicate that assistant coach Mike Boynton Jr. could serve in an interim role while Michigan searches for a permanent replacement. The Wolverines also face roster-management challenges as transfer portal windows reopen following a coaching change.
Despite the uncertainty, May leaves Michigan in a far stronger position than when he arrived, having restored the program to national championship status in just two seasons.
Final Thoughts
Dusty May‘s coaching journey is one of the fastest and most impressive rises in modern basketball. After transforming Florida Atlantic into a Final Four team and guiding Michigan to a national championship, he now faces his biggest challenge yet with the Dallas Mavericks. Whether in college basketball or the NBA, May has consistently proven that he can build winning programs, making him one of the sport’s most intriguing coaching figures.
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