The Dallas Mavericks are set to usher in a new era, with ESPN reporting that the franchise is hiring Michigan head coach Dusty May as its next bench boss. The move marks one of the biggest coaching shifts of the offseason, as May leaves the college ranks shortly after guiding Michigan to the 2026 NCAA National Championship. May, 49, arrives in Dallas with a growing reputation as one of basketball's brightest coaching minds.

He first captured national attention by leading Florida Atlantic University to a historic Final Four appearance in 2023 before taking over at Michigan in 2024. In just two seasons with the Wolverines, he amassed a 64-13 record, winning a Big Ten regular-season title, a conference tournament championship and, most notably, Michigan's first national title since 1989.

The Mavericks are banking on May's ability to develop talent and establish a strong team culture as they enter a crucial phase of their rebuild. He replaces Jason Kidd, who was dismissed earlier this month following the arrival of new president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri. May's hiring comes just days before the 2026 NBA Draft and gives Dallas a fresh voice to lead a roster headlined by reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.

Widely respected for his player-first approach, offensive creativity and adaptability, May now faces the challenge of translating his collegiate success to the NBA level. His appointment signals Dallas' commitment to building a long-term contender around its young core and returning to playoff relevance in the Western Conference.

Inside Dusty May's coaching journey before his leap to NBA

Dusty May worked hard to become an NBA head coach. He did not play college basketball. Instead, he spent 18 years learning how to coach.He started as a student manager for Bob Knight at Indiana University. He did that from 1996 to 2000. Next, he handled video clips at USC and Indiana. He then traveled across the country as an assistant coach. He worked at many schools, including Eastern Michigan and Murray State.

He also coached at UAB, Louisiana Tech, and Florida. This long journey helped him learn the game. His patience paid off when he finally got his big break as a head coach. In 2018, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) gave May his very first head coaching job. He took over a quiet program and transformed it into a powerhouse. 

By 2023, he shocked the basketball world by leading FAU, a school with zero previous NCAA tournament wins, all the way to the Final Four. He built an impressive 126-69 total record during his six seasons with the Owls. Following his success at FAU, the University of Michigan hired May in 2024 to save a struggling program that had just suffered a terrible 8-24 season.

What he did next was historic.Instead of waiting years to rebuild, May used the modern transfer portal to piece together a dominant, oversized lineup. In just his second season, he coached the Wolverines to a stunning 37-3 record. He won the Big Ten regular-season title, the conference tournament, and ultimately the 2026 NCAA National Championship by defeating UConn.