ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Former Michigan Wolverines national championship-winning head coach Dusty May broke his silence on his abrupt departure from the basketball program to join the Dallas Mavericks as their new head coach.
The former University of Michigan men’s basketball head coach released a statement Tuesday (June 23) thanking the Wolverines community after accepting the Mavericks’ head coaching position, ending a two-year tenure that helped restore Michigan basketball to national prominence.
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“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,” said May. “I never could have imagined how special these last two seasons would be.”
Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel announced May’s departure hours earlier, saying the university was grateful for the impact May and his family made on the program.
“While we are disappointed to see Dusty leave Michigan, we are deeply grateful to the May family for the lasting impact they have made on our program and our university,” Manuel said.
A historic turnaround
May went 64-13 in two seasons at Michigan, leading the Wolverines to a national championship, a Big Ten regular-season title, and a Big Ten Tournament championship.
The turnaround was one of the most dramatic in college basketball.
When May arrived in Ann Arbor in 2024, Michigan was coming off an 8-24 season under former head coach Juwan Howard.
Two years later, the Wolverines were national champions.
May credited Michigan fans for embracing his family and supporting the program throughout the journey.
“You packed Crisler, traveled all over the country, and supported our players through every high and low,” May said. “The memories we made together, from winning the Big Ten to cutting down the nets in Indianapolis, are ones my family and I will carry with us forever.”
May said the relationships built with players, coaches, staff, students, alumni, and fans were what made his time in Ann Arbor so meaningful.
“What I’ll miss most are the people,” May said. “Michigan is special because of all of you.”
The move makes May the first national championship-winning college basketball coach to leave for another job during the immediate offseason following a title since Larry Brown left Kansas for the NBA in 1988 after winning a championship with the Jayhawks.
May said leaving Michigan was not an easy decision, but one he felt was right for his family.
“This wasn’t an easy decision,” May said. “An opportunity came along that was right for my family and something I felt I needed to pursue.”
Boynton named interim head coach
With summer workouts beginning, Michigan has named assistant coach Mike Boynton Jr. as interim head coach while the program determines its next steps.
“Mike has been an invaluable member of our staff and a respected leader throughout his career,” Manuel said. “His experience, character, and commitment to our values make him the right person to guide the team during this transition.”
Boynton, 44, joined May’s staff and became a key figure in Michigan’s success, earning a reputation as the architect of the Wolverines’ defense.
He previously spent seven seasons as head coach at Oklahoma State, where he guided the Cowboys to an NCAA Tournament appearance and coached Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, who was selected by the Detroit Pistons.
Roster, recruiting outlook
The coaching change comes at a critical point in the offseason as Michigan works to maintain its championship momentum.
The Wolverines have already seen several players enter the NBA Draft, including Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr., and Aday Mara, while the program hopes to retain key contributors and incoming talent.
Michigan’s incoming class includes five-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr., along with J.P. Estrella and Moustapha Thiam.
The program also hopes to keep sophomore guard Trey McKenney and senior guard Elliot Cadeau, who earned Most Outstanding Player honors at the 2026 NCAA Men’s Final Four.
Boynton’s familiarity with the roster and recruiting efforts could provide stability during the transition.
For Manuel, the departure creates another major coaching decision following the program’s championship success.
He previously navigated Michigan’s football transition after Jim Harbaugh left following the Wolverines’ national title season in 2023, promoting Sherrone Moore.
Whether Michigan chooses to promote from within or conduct a national search remains uncertain.
For now, May leaves behind a program that reached the top of college basketball and a message of gratitude for the university community.
“Thank you for trusting us, believing in us, and making these last two years so much fun,” May said. “It was an honor to coach at Michigan and wear the Block M.”
May closed his statement with a message familiar to Wolverines fans everywhere: “Go Blue.”