Dusty May Becomes Head Coach for Dallas Mavericks

Dusty May, who recently celebrated a national title victory with Michigan, has been appointed as the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. This decision was confirmed to The Athletic by a league source.

May achieved significant success in college basketball, guiding Florida Atlantic to a Final Four in 2023 and securing a national championship with Michigan in April. He now helms a Mavericks team featuring reigning Rookie of the Year, Cooper Flagg.

May’s journey began at Indiana, where he served as a student manager under the renowned coach Bob Knight. He steadily climbed the ranks in college basketball, ultimately taking on his first head coaching role at Florida Atlantic in 2018. During his last two seasons with the Owls, the team achieved a 60-13 record before May transitioned to Michigan in 2024.

His tenure at Michigan was marked by success, with the Wolverines improving their record to 27-10 during the 2024-25 season, an increase of 19 wins from the previous year. Michigan crowned its exceptional performance last season with a 37-3 record, culminating in a championship win against Connecticut. Wolverines players Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr., and Aday Mara are expected to be first-round picks in the upcoming NBA Draft.

In May, Mavericks president Masai Ujiri decided to part ways with coach Jason Kidd, who had four years remaining on his contract worth over $40 million. Ujiri aimed for a comprehensive search for Kidd’s replacement.

The Mavericks showed interest in San Antonio Spurs associate head coach Sean Sweeney, but he accepted the head coaching position with the Orlando Magic. Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori was also interviewed. Ujiri explored college-level coaches, with names like Duke’s Jon Scheyer and Florida’s Todd Golden emerging as possibilities.

Ultimately, Ujiri chose May, noted for coaching one of the most formidable college teams in recent history last season.