Michigan’s Dusty May won’t pursue other college jobs, but NBA teams are expected to come calling this offseason.
Dusty May just won a national championship. Now the NBA may want a piece of him.
Michigan’s head coach has already made clear he has no interest in other college jobs, including a reported opportunity at North Carolina. But the next question surrounding May may have nothing to do with college basketball at all. After signing an extesnion with Michigan, it appears another league may come calling.
May is expected to draw NBA interest this offseason, per multiple industry sources. He has reportedly told Michigan officials he will not pursue other college head coaching positions.
May Has Built a Résumé That Demands Attention
It is easy to see why the NBA would come calling. May guided Michigan to a national title on Monday night, beating UConn to end a 37-year championship drought for the Wolverines. The 49-year-old now holds a 63-13 overall record in two seasons in Ann Arbor.
That kind of winning percentage turns heads at every level of basketball. May has not just won games, either. He has done it with a defensive identity and a roster that required serious program-building after years of Michigan underperforming its recruiting expectations.
Before Michigan, May spent six seasons at Florida Atlantic, going 126-69 with two NCAA tournament appearances. His 2022-23 Owls made a stunning run to the Final Four despite being one of the longest shots in the field. That run put May on the national map. The Michigan job followed, and he has not slowed down since.
The NBA Has a History of Chasing Hot College Names
The league has a long history of pursuing coaches who build momentum in college. Some transitions have worked out well. Billy Donovan won two national titles at Florida before becoming a respected NBA head coach. Brad Stevens turned his Celtics tenure into a front office promotion. Quin Snyder carved out a lengthy career after leaving college basketball behind.
Others have not made the jump work. Rick Pitino and John Calipari both tried the NBA and returned to college. The list of cautionary tales is long.
May has not given any indication that he is itching to leave. That matters. Coaches who chase the NBA before they are ready rarely thrive. May seems to be operating from a position of strength, not restlessness.
What This Means for Michigan
For now, May appears locked in with the Wolverines. His decision to withdraw from the UNC search signals a genuine commitment to what he is building in Ann Arbor. Michigan just won its first title since 1989, and the program is positioned to compete at the highest level again next season.
The Tar Heels have since hired former Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone to fill their vacancy. That search took an unexpected turn after May withdrew from the running.
As for May, the offseason is just getting started. NBA front offices take notice of coaches who win championships, and May has now done exactly that on the biggest stage in college basketball. Don’t be surprised if his name surfaces in NBA coaching conversations before the summer is over.
