Michigan Coach Dusty May Heads to NBA

After two seasons highlighted by an NCAA Championship, head coach Dusty May is leaving the collegiate ranks to pursue a coaching opportunity in the NBA.

Dusty May's Head Coaching Journey

Dusty May's coaching career in college basketball began in 1996 as a student manager under legendary Indiana head coach Bob Knight. Over the next two decades, he gained experience at several programs, including USC, Indiana, Eastern Michigan, Murray State, UAB, Louisiana Tech, and Florida, steadily building a reputation as one of the game's rising coaching figure in college basketball. His journey ultimately led to his first head coaching opportunity at Florida Atlantic, where he transformed the Owls into a national contender.

After leading Florida Atlantic from 2018 to 2024, Dusty May was hired as head coach of the Michigan Wolverines. In just two seasons, he revitalized the program through strategic use of the transfer portal and compiled an impressive 64–13 record. Under his leadership, Michigan captured the 2025 Big Ten Tournament championship, the 2026 Big Ten regular-season title, and the 2026 NCAA National Championship.

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A review of Dusty May's coaching career reveals a pattern of rapid success and upward mobility. After spending only two seasons at Michigan, culminating in a national championship, May is once again moving on, this time to become the head coach of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks.

From Champions to Pros: U of M Coach Makes Move

According to Patch, Michigan head coach Dusty May is leaving Ann Arbor after two seasons to become the head coach of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks. May departs on a high note, having guided the Wolverines to their second NCAA National Championship with a 69–63 victory over Connecticut.

Michigan and Dusty May had previously negotiated a new contract, but the agreement was never finalized. As a result, the Wolverines now find themselves searching for a new leader, with no immediate word on who the university will target as its next head coach.