Dusty May is set to leave Michigan for the Dallas Mavericks after talks over a new contract were still not fully signed as of May 18. The move comes with major financial stakes for both programs, as Dallas begins a rebuild under new team president Masai Ujiri
When Dusty May walked into the next chapter of his career, the timing had the feel of a deal already moving—except Michigan hadn’t fully locked it down.
May spoke Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, about how Michigan basketball’s recent run of dominance came together, but the most consequential news landed at the same time: May will be the next head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. He had led Michigan to the 2026 national championship this past spring.
The last college-to-NBA jump before May was John Beilien in 2019—also a Michigan man. Larry Brown was the last men’s basketball coach to leave the NBA after winning a national title the season before (with Kansas in 1988).
May and Michigan had been in contract discussions, but as of May 18, the deal hadn’t been signed, May confirmed. He said there were “minor details” being adjusted between both parties, and he also said he was committed to staying with the Wolverines.
“We’d like to build one of the most consistent, greatest basketball programs in the country,” May said.
A request for clarification on whether May had signed his contract wasn’t returned at the time the report was published.
The money around May’s Michigan contract showed how high the stakes were. His previous deal was set through 2030 and offered an annual increase of $250. 000 for the next four seasons. according to his contract obtained as part of the reporting. His base salary in 2025-26 was $4.6 million, set to rise to $4.85 million this season under the previous contract. His buyout on that prior contract was reduced to $5 million after April 30, 2026.
May’s path to Dallas also comes after a turnaround that reshaped Michigan’s roster and results in a short span. In two years in Ann Arbor, May went 64-13. After guiding Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023, he compiled a 190-82 record (.699) across eight college seasons.
Michigan’s immediate business pressures matched the urgency of the coaching decision. The Wolverines had been rebuilding again this offseason after key players Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. declared for the NBA Draft, and Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg exhausted his eligibility. Michigan brought in a trio of proven transfers—Moustapha Thiam (Cincinnati). JP Estrella (Tennessee) and Jalen Reed (LSU)—to pair with a top-five freshman class led by McDonald’s All Americans Brandon McCoy and Quinn Costello.
On the Mavericks side, the coaching change is part of a wider reset. Dallas finished 26-56 last season. hired Toronto Raptors executive Masai Ujiri as team president. and parted with head coach Jason Kidd on May 19. Dallas has the No. 9 pick in this year’s NBA Draft and is in the midst of a rebuild led by last year’s top pick Cooper Flagg.
The timeline makes the contradiction hard to ignore: May said Michigan’s contract had “minor details” left as of May 18, yet Dallas had already moved quickly enough that his next job was effectively locked in days later, after Kidd was dismissed on May 19.
What happens next in Ann Arbor is now the open question. For 2027, Michigan is expected to contend again—but the search for a new men’s basketball coach could be shaped by the same pressures that drove May out.
A set of names has begun circulating. Mike Boynton Jr. the former Oklahoma State coach who worked with May as one of Michigan’s top assistants and oversaw the defensive game plans. is viewed as a seamless fit if he doesn’t follow May to Dallas. Grant McCasland. the Texas Tech coach. is also mentioned as a potential big target. after he was a candidate for the North Carolina job in the spring. Billy Donovan. currently a coaching free agent after leading the Chicago Bulls. is another possibility given his track record and the Wolverines’ ability to make another March run. TJ Otzelberger is flagged for his work with Iowa State. Ben McCollum is also listed, after taking Iowa to the Elite Eight this past spring.
This story is expected to be updated.
Dusty May Dallas Mavericks Michigan Wolverines NBA coaching change Masai Ujiri Jason Kidd contract buyout college basketball coaching carousel
So Michigan just… loses another coach. Cool cool.
I don’t even know why Michigan “stalls” like that. If he already winning championships shouldn’t they just sign asap? Sounds like Dallas just threw more money at it and Michigan blinked.
Wait I thought Dusty May was staying at Michigan like he said he was committed. “Minor details” is the funniest excuse ever like it’s never minor. Also who is Masai Ujiri in this basketball situation lol
This feels like that other coach thing where they say they’re committed then the NBA swoops in the last second. They mention 2030 and millions like that means people are “rebuilding” 🙄 Dallas rebuild under Masai Ujiri?? wasn’t he over something soccer? Anyway congrats to May I guess, but Michigan fans really got played.