Dusty May’s two‑year tenure at Michigan ended with a bang, as he guided the Wolverines to a Big Ten Tournament title, a regular‑season championship and a berth in the Final Four.
The abrupt exit to join the Dallas Mavericks was driven not only by a long‑standing NBA curiosity but also by concerns over future stability at the college level, according to May.
May cited the franchise’s leadership, notably Masai Uche, and a roster that blends health with predictability as decisive factors, while also noting that a recent hip surgery in Ann Arbor influenced his calculus.
A Successor in Ann Arbor
Assistant coach Mike Boynton Jr., who has previously helmed Oklahoma State and overseen the development of Cade Cunningham, was tapped to take the reins, ensuring continuity in philosophy and culture.
The move was framed as seamless, with both May and Boynton sharing an educational and leadership outlook that promised a smooth hand‑off for the program.
May expressed deep admiration for the relationships forged with Michigan’s players, describing the experience as one of the most rewarding chapters of his career.
While the departure was difficult, May said the mutual respect and alignment of values made the transition justified, underscoring a strategic shift that could reshape both the Wolverines and the Mavericks.