Dusty May Explains Decision to Take Mavs HC Job, Leave Michigan After Winning NCAA Title

After just two seasons at Michigan, Dusty May is leaving for the NBA ranks.

May, who led the Wolverines to a national title in 2026, explained his decision to take the job with the Dallas Mavericks in a statement on Tuesday.

"This wasn't an easy decision," he said. "An opportunity came along that was right for my family and something I felt I needed to pursue, but that doesn't change how much these last two years have meant to us."

May has quickly risen to prominence as one of the top head coaches in basketball over the last few years. After cutting his teeth as an assistant to start his career, he put himself on the map when he led FAU to a Final Four appearance.

He then landed his first Power 4 head coaching job at Michigan, and he needed just two seasons to deliver the school a national title.

Only the top college basketball coaches get considered for NBA jobs, and May was among the names, like Duke's Jon Scheyer, to garner interest from professional squads. May also beat top assistants like Micah Nori and Royal Ivey for the job.

"We set out to find a leader who embodies the values we want to define our organization," Mavericks president Masai Ujiri said in a statement. "Dusty has won at every stage of his career because of his ability to build. He develops players, creates accountability, and brings people together around a shared standard of excellence. His work ethic is extraordinary, and his teams consistently reflect his values.

"When you study his journey, you see someone who has earned every opportunity through preparation, discipline, humility, and an unwavering commitment to improvement. We believe those qualities make him the right leader for the Dallas Mavericks."

The Mavs, who fired Jason Kidd after a 26-56 season, are hoping to get back to being a Finals contender with an entirely different roster. The last time Dallas made the Finals, two years ago, the team was centered around Dončić. Now, after trading Dončić for Anthony Davis and then trading Davis a year later, Cooper Flagg is the focal point of the roster.

Flagg appears on his way to stardom after winning Rookie of the Year. The Mavs also still have veteran point guard Kyrie Irving in the mix.

On paper, Dallas still seems a few years away from competing for a championship, but May has been known to win immediately. He'll look to continue that trend with the Mavericks.