Dusty May Leaves Michigan to Become Dallas Mavericks Head Coach — Breaking NBA News 2026

In one of the biggest coaching moves in basketball in 2026, Dusty May is leaving the University of Michigan to become the next head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. The Dallas Mavericks are hiring Michigan coach Dusty May to replace Jason Kidd less than three months after May guided the Wolverines to the 2026 national title. The move has sent shockwaves through both college basketball and the NBA — and sets up one of the most exciting new chapters in Dallas Mavericks history.

From National Champion to the NBA

May leaves Ann Arbor after two seasons with a 64-13 record, a Big Ten tournament championship, a regular season Big Ten championship and the program's first national title since 1989. His departure is stunning given how recently he led Michigan to the mountaintop  the Wolverines defeated UConn 69-63 on April 6, 2026 to claim the national championship, and May was widely regarded as one of the best coaches in college basketball.

May emerged as one of the sport's promising young coaches after leading No. 9-seed FAU of Conference USA to the 2023 Final Four. In his last four seasons as a head coach in college, he went 124-26. That remarkable record made him one of the most sought-after coaching names in all of basketball  and the Dallas Mavericks moved quickly to secure his services.

Why the Mavericks Made This Move

The Mavericks fired Jason Kidd in May after five seasons after he guided the team to a 26-56 mark in the franchise's first full season following its trading of star Luka Dončić to the Lakers. With the Kidd era over and a new direction needed, Dallas made a bold decision to bring in a proven winner from the college ranks rather than promoting from within the NBA coaching community.

The centerpiece of the Mavericks' rebuild is Cooper Flagg  the 19-year-old forward who took the NBA by storm in his debut season. May will coach a franchise with Cooper Flagg as a linchpin player  the NBA's Rookie of the Year last season after leading Dallas by scoring 21.0 points per game. Pairing one of basketball's hottest young coaches with one of the game's most exciting young players is a combination that has Dallas fans genuinely excited about the future.

May's Coaching Philosophy — Perfect Fit for Dallas

One of the most fascinating aspects of this hire is how May's coaching style could translate to the NBA level. Michigan became the antidote for the small-ball revolution in college basketball by effectively playing multiple big men  towering front courts became a hallmark of May's teams. In an NBA landscape that has gradually shifted back toward valuing size and physicality, May's approach could be a genuinely refreshing change of pace.

His ability to develop players quickly and get the best out of rosters built through unconventional means  whether the college transfer portal or creative roster construction is exactly the kind of skill set a rebuilding franchise like the Mavericks needs right now.

The Michigan Fallout

May's departure leaves Michigan in a sudden and unexpected state of flux. Michigan appeared well positioned to repeat, as ESPN ranked Michigan No. 3 in early Top 25 rankings. May's departure means that Michigan's players can explore their future options, as under NCAA rules a 15-day transfer window will open five days after a new head coach is hired.

The Wolverines return a talented roster including Final Four Most Outstanding Player Elliot Cadeau and rising sophomore Trey McKenney, but losing a coach of May's caliber just months after a national championship is a significant blow to the program's momentum heading into next season.