By: Hannah Vore, Journalist Intern
Publication Date: June 25, 2026
The Dallas Mavericks hired former Michigan basketball coach Dusty May as their head coach on Tuesday.
The Mavericks fired Jason Kidd after finishing the season 26-56, despite him having four years left on his contract. They selected May, who left Michigan with a 64-13 record in just two seasons and led the team to win the 2026 national championship.
“When my family and I came to Ann Arbor two years ago, we hoped we could help bring Michigan basketball back to where it belongs. I never could have imagined how special these last two seasons would be,” wrote May in a statement on social media.
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel expressed his appreciation for May, thanking him for bringing Michigan basketball back to the national stage. However, fans are shocked after expecting an extended contract back in April, when Manuel had said he and May agreed on terms, but the deal was never signed.
For now, Michigan’s assistant coach Mike Boynton Jr. will step in as the interim head coach. Michigan’s roster could be affected heading into next season.
According to the NCAA, players will have a 15-day transfer period five days after May’s departure. This new rule was announced earlier this year on Jan. 14. to accommodate coaching changes throughout college basketball.
“This wasn’t an easy decision,” May wrote.
However, May will not be the only one moving to Dallas. Less than six hours after he was announced as Mavericks head coach, they drafted former Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr.
Johnson was drafted ninth overall in the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday. He was one of three players to start in all 40 games for Michigan, averaging 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds as a sophomore.
“And now for him to be my coach again, I’m excited. It’s insane. We just won a national championship together. I can’t wait to get there and go to work with him again and ultimately win again,” said Johnson.
Michigan had two other first-round selections. Yaxel Lendeborg was the11th overall draft pick to the Golden State Warriors and Aday Mara was the12th overall pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
May is the first college coach to leave after cutting down nets since Larry Brown, former Kansas head coach in 1988.
“Thank you for trusting us, believing in us and making these last two years so much fun. It was an honor to coach at Michigan and wear the block M,” wrote May.