Michigan’s time under Dusty May appears to be coming to an abrupt end.
According to multiple reports, the Dallas Mavericks are finalizing a deal to hire May as their next head coach, ending a wildly successful two-year run in Ann Arbor that included a national championship and a dramatic resurgence of the Wolverines program.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Shams Charania, and Adam Schefter first reported the agreement, while The Athletic later reported that May is expected to become the Mavericks’ next coach after a search led by team president Masai Ujiri.
May, 49, arrived at Michigan in 2024 after six seasons at Florida Atlantic and immediately transformed a program coming off one of its worst seasons in recent memory.
The Wolverines improved by 19 wins in his first year, finishing 27-10 in 2024-25. Michigan followed that with an even more remarkable 2025-26 campaign, going 37-3 and defeating UConn in the national championship game.
In two seasons, May compiled a 64-13 record and restored Michigan to the top of college basketball.
His success in Ann Arbor came after turning Florida Atlantic into a national contender. May led the Owls to a Final Four appearance in 2023 and consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances before departing for Michigan.
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel announced during the national championship celebration that May had agreed to a contract extension that would keep him in Ann Arbor for years to come. However, details of the agreement were never released, and reports indicate the deal was never formally signed.
May now heads to Dallas, where he will inherit a roster led by reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks also feature veterans Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford.
His hiring marks the first major move under new team president Masai Ujiri, who moved on from Jason Kidd earlier this offseason.
Back in Ann Arbor, attention now turns to Michigan’s future.
According to multiple reports, the Wolverines are expected to promote defensive coordinator Mike Boynton to interim head coach. Boynton previously spent seven seasons as head coach at Oklahoma State, compiling a 119-109 record.
Michigan enters the season ranked among the nation’s top teams, and the coaching change could have major roster implications. NCAA rules provide players with a 15-day transfer portal window beginning five days after a new coach is hired or announced.
With three Wolverines expected to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft and expectations as high as they’ve been in years, Michigan suddenly faces one of the biggest offseasons in program history.
If May’s departure becomes official, his legacy in Ann Arbor will be complicated. He brought Michigan back to national prominence and delivered a championship, but his stay lasted only two seasons before the NBA came calling.
Now, the Wolverines will once again be searching for a head coach.
