Dusty May leaving Michigan for Dallas Mavericks after leading Wolverines to national championship

Michigan head coach Dusty May is leaving the college ranks and heading to the NBA.

OutKick has confirmed that May is finalizing a deal to become the next head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, ending a highly successful two-year run in Ann Arbor and creating one of the biggest coaching shakeups of the offseason.

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Head coach Dusty May of the Michigan Wolverines cuts down the net after defeating the UConn Huskies 69-63 in the National Championship of the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 6, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The move comes just months after May guided Michigan to the 2026 national championship, cementing his status as one of the hottest coaching names in basketball. The 49-year-old compiled a 64-13 record with the Wolverines.

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May will take over a Mavericks franchise looking to rebound after a disappointing 26-56 season that led to the dismissal of former head coach Jason Kidd. He inherits a roster built around reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, who averaged 21.0 points per game last season and is viewed as the cornerstone of Dallas’ future.

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg drives against Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green during the second half of an NBA game in Milwaukee on March 31, 2026. (Jeffrey Phelps/AP Photo)

May’s rise through the coaching profession has been one of the sport’s most notable success stories.

After leading Florida Atlantic to a surprise Final Four appearance in 2023, he accepted the Michigan job in 2024 and quickly turned the Wolverines back into a national powerhouse. Over his final four seasons as a college head coach, May posted a remarkable 124-26 record.

Michigan head coach Dusty May watches from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Villanova in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Dec. 9, 2025. (Ryan Sun/AP)

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His departure leaves Michigan facing an unexpected coaching search during the summer. The Wolverines return a talented roster that includes Final Four Most Outstanding Player Elliot Cadeau, rising sophomore Trey McKenney and several high-profile transfers.

Under NCAA rules, though, players will have an opportunity to reevaluate their futures once a new head coach is hired.