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The Dallas Mavericks are turning to one of the fastest-rising coaches in basketball. After leading Michigan to a national championship in just his second season, Dusty May is reportedly leaving college basketball to become the Mavericks' next head coach. For many NBA fans, especially those who don't closely follow the college game, May's name may not carry the same recognition as some veteran NBA coaches.
That likely won't last long. May built a reputation as one of basketball's premier program builders, first at Florida Atlantic and then at Michigan, where he engineered one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent college basketball history.
From Indiana manager to national championship coach
May's basketball journey started in Indiana, where he served as a student manager under legendary coach Bob Knight at Indiana University. After graduating with a journalism degree, May spent years working behind the scenes as a video coordinator and assistant coach. He made coaching stops at Eastern Michigan, Murray State, UAB, Louisiana Tech and Florida, developing a reputation as a tireless recruiter and talent evaluator before finally landing his first head coaching opportunity in 2018.
Those years helped shape the coaching style Mavericks fans will soon become familiar with — detail-oriented, player-focused and heavily invested in development.
The coach who put Florida Atlantic on the map
Before Michigan, May became a national name at Florida Atlantic. The Owls had never been a major factor on the national stage before May arrived. That changed dramatically during the 2022-23 season when he guided FAU to a 35-4 record and a stunning run to the Final Four.
The tournament run transformed the program overnight and showcased May's ability to maximize talent, build chemistry and create a winning culture. By the time he left Boca Raton in 2024, he had accumulated a 126-69 record and established FAU as one of the country's premier mid-major programs.
Michigan turnaround happened faster than anyone expected
When Michigan hired May in March 2024, the Wolverines were coming off an eight-win season and appeared years away from competing for championships. Instead, May accelerated the rebuild at an astonishing pace. Michigan went 27-10 in his first season, won the Big Ten Tournament and reached the Sweet 16. Then came an even bigger leap.
In 2025-26, the Wolverines posted a school-record 37-3 record, captured the Big Ten regular-season championship and won the national title by defeating UConn 69-63. Michigan finished with 64 victories across May's two seasons, tied for the most wins ever by a coach in his first two years at a new Division I program. The success earned May National Coach of the Year honors and firmly established him among the top coaches in college basketball.
MORE: Why Mavericks are hiring Michigan's Dusty May as next head coach
Why Mavericks fans should be excited
The biggest selling point for Dallas isn't simply May's win-loss record. It's his ability to build rosters and develop players.
At Michigan, he helped turn transfer portal additions into stars and produced multiple first-round NBA Draft picks. His teams consistently played with pace, shared the basketball and improved throughout the season. According to Michigan's athletic department, four players developed under May became first-round picks in just two seasons.
That player-development background could prove especially valuable for a Mavericks roster built around young superstar Cooper Flagg and an emerging core that will be expected to compete immediately.
A new challenge awaits in Dallas
May has conquered nearly every level of college basketball. He took Florida Atlantic to its first Final Four. He restored Michigan and delivered a national championship. Now comes the biggest challenge of his career.
The NBA is a different world, but the traits that fueled May's rise, relationship building, roster construction and player development, are exactly why Dallas believes he can succeed. Mavericks fans may not have known much about Dusty May a week ago.
They almost certainly will soon.
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