The Dallas Mavericks are set to hire Dusty May as their next head coach after recently parting ways with Jason Kidd.
The NBA world was left stunned by the news as the Mavericks managed to convince May to leave the Michigan Wolverines just months after winning the NCAA Tournament.
NBA World Shocked By Dallas’ Hire of Michigan HC Dusty May
After leading the Wolverines to a historic national championship title, May is set to make the leap to the NBA. The 49-year-old won a lot of fans with his up-tempo offensive system involving heavy ball-screen actions and quick decision-making during Michigan’s March Madness run.
The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski lauded the Mavericks for landing two shrewd basketball figures in Masai Ujiri as president and May as head coach during the offseason.
“Masai Ujiri and Dusty May. That’s one heck of an offseason for the Mavericks,” he wrote on X.
Masai Ujiri and Dusty May. That’s one heck of an offseason for the Mavericks. https://t.co/YuLddqRv8v
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) June 22, 2026
SB Nation contributor Mookie Alexander was left stunned by the news, simply writing, “WHAT”
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) June 22, 2026
Barstool’s “Viva La Stool” page posted a hilarious reaction meme of their founder and Wolverines superfan Dave Portnoy in despair at the news.
https://t.co/I0jf5wSfGz pic.twitter.com/52tce6x9iu
— Viva La Stool (@VivaLaStool) June 22, 2026
One user was surprised that May decided to leave college basketball for the NBA.
“This is crazy! I didn’t think he would leave Michigan. The bag is big in Dallas,” they wrote.
This is crazy! I didnt think he would leave Michigan
The bag is big in Dallas https://t.co/q8kNfLguCf
— Jay (@JLettucewrist) June 22, 2026
College basketball analyst Matthew Winick claimed that the news of May’s departure from Michigan could alter the college basketball landscape for the upcoming season.
“This is arguably the biggest college basketball news break of all-time. This is unbelievable. Completely shifts the fabric of the sport,” he wrote.
This is arguably the biggest college basketball news break of all-time. This is unbelievable. Completely shifts the fabric of the sport. https://t.co/sd2gcwAtA9
— Matthew Winick (@matthewwinick) June 22, 2026
Winick also commented on the timing of the news, with May and the Mavericks having the No. 9 pick, meaning they could select Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson, or Aday Mara (the three pillars of Michigan’s March Madness run under May).
“It’s also incredible that this happens the day before the NBA draft, where Dusty May’s first move as an NBA head coach will be deciding which one of Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson, and Aday Mara he wants to keep coaching and take with the No. 9 pick,” he wrote.
It’s also incredible that this happens the day before the NBA draft, where Dusty May’s first move as an NBA head coach will be deciding which one of Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson, and Aday Mara he wants to keep coaching and take with the No. 9 pick. https://t.co/2xCFLXlp4u
— Matthew Winick (@matthewwinick) June 22, 2026
May joined Michigan in 2024 after six years at Florida Atlantic. He also enjoyed spells as an assistant with Eastern Michigan, Murray State, UAB, Louisiana Tech, and Florida before starting his head coaching career. He leaves college basketball with a 190–82 overall record.
Now, he will focus on maximizing Cooper Flagg and turning the Mavericks from a fun up-and-coming squad to a legitimate contender.
