Michigan basketball has ushered in a new era with the appointment of Dusty May as the head coach. The Free Press confirmed on Saturday night that May, previously at the helm of Florida Atlantic, has inked a five-year contract with Michigan.
In a swift response to the announcement, U-M President Santa Ono took to social media to express his excitement about welcoming May to Ann Arbor, signaling a new chapter for the team.
At 47, May has made significant strides in transforming the Florida Atlantic Owls into a formidable force in college basketball. Since taking over in 2018, he led the team to its first Final Four appearance in 2023 and secured an 8 seed in the 2024 NCAA tournament, although they were edged out by Northwestern.
May steps into a role vacated just over a week ago following Michigan’s decision to part ways with Juwan Howard after a disappointing 2023-24 season. Under Howard, the Wolverines recorded the most losses in a single season in the program’s history, missing out on the NCAA tournament for the second year in a row.
Dusty May’s journey in basketball coaching is marked by resilience and success. Before his tenure at Florida Atlantic, he contributed to various programs across the country, including significant stints at Florida, Louisiana Tech, UAB, Murray State, and Eastern Michigan. His coaching career kicked off at Eastern Michigan as an assistant in the 2005-06 season.
Throughout his six seasons with FAU, May compiled an impressive 126-68 overall record, clinching two Conference USA titles. His leadership peaked in the 2022-23 season, leading the Owls to a remarkable 35-4 record. The team maintained a strong performance in the following season, finishing with a 25-9 record.
May’s contract with FAU included a $1 million buyout clause, a testament to his value and the impact he had in turning the team into consistent winners. Under his guidance, FAU enjoyed six consecutive winning seasons, a feat not achieved since the 2010-11 season. May’s tenure at FAU is distinguished by setting new records and elevating the program to new heights, including their historic run to the Final Four.
As May prepares to take on his new role at Michigan, the basketball community watches eagerly to see if he can replicate his success and steer the Wolverines back to their storied position as perennial contenders in the NCAA tournament. His track record of rebuilding and leading teams to success suggests a promising future for Michigan basketball under his leadership.