Juwan Howard’s departure from Ann Arbor marks the arrival of Dusty May, who has agreed to a lucrative five-year contract with Michigan worth $3.75 million annually.
Michigan made the announcement on Sunday, signaling May’s return to the Big Ten conference and concluding his successful six-season tenure, highlighted by a Final Four appearance last year with Florida Atlantic.
Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel expressed his enthusiasm for May’s appointment, citing May’s extensive track record as a winner, particularly highlighted by Florida Atlantic’s remarkable journey to the 2023 Final Four.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dusty and his family to the University of Michigan,” Manuel stated. “His integrity, character, and profound understanding of basketball make him an ideal fit for our program.”
May had reportedly been a contender for the coaching position at Louisville, but with his commitment to Michigan, Louisville will now need to explore other options to revitalize its once-prestigious basketball program.
Michigan President Santa Ono announced the appointment on Saturday evening through a social media update. May conveyed the news to his former team at FAU on Sunday morning, shortly before the official announcement from Michigan.
May is set to take over from Howard, a former Michigan standout who was dismissed after five seasons with the Wolverines. Howard’s tenure saw a record of 82-67 with two NCAA Tournament appearances, but the team struggled this season, ending with an 8-24 record — the worst since 1960-61.
Michigan wasted no time, announcing May’s hiring just a day after FAU finished its season.
Speculation surrounding May’s future has been ongoing for over a year. His coaching potential became evident last season when FAU’s impressive 20-game winning streak garnered national attention. The team’s journey to the Final Four further solidified May as a top coaching prospect.
Despite FAU’s efforts to retain him, offering a 10-year extension following last year’s Final Four run, May ultimately decided to move on. His departure will incur a $1 million buyout for FAU.
Throughout recent weeks, amidst inquiries about his future, especially following FAU’s loss in the NCAA tournament, May remained steadfast in his intention to consider all options before making a decision.
Michigan’s offer appears to have been too enticing for May to turn down.
Reflecting on his time at FAU, May achieved significant success, accumulating a record of 126-69 over six years, with winning seasons each year. Notably, FAU excelled in the past two years, boasting a combined 60 wins. The team’s home record of 30-1 over the same period tied for the best in Division I men’s basketball.
Under May’s guidance, FAU witnessed numerous milestones, including its first NCAA Tournament victory, first 25-win season, and first Final Four appearance. May’s ability to attract talented players to FAU, despite budget constraints, transformed the program’s trajectory.
Transitioning from FAU to Michigan marks a significant career move for May, who began his coaching journey as an assistant at various institutions before making a name for himself at FAU. His return to the Big Ten, now clad in maize and blue, signifies a new chapter in his coaching career.
