Report Reveals Why Dusty May Left Michigan For Dallas Mavericks Job
The NBA coaching carousel took a giant spin when Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May took the job with the Dallas Mavericks.
May led Michigan to an NCAA Tournament title in a dominant run not even three months ago, and the Wolverines were widely expected to be national contenders for the 2026-27 season.
Yet, May replaces Jason Kidd as the Mavericks' head coach, and the meteoric rise of the former Florida Atlantic head coach adds another chapter.
While it might seem shocking on the surface, CBS Sports insider Matt Norlander revealed why May left Michigan for the NBA.
"I spoke to a source close to Dusty May ... it IS the college environment that is pushing him to this decision," Norlander said.
"I spoke to a source close to Dusty May ... it IS the college environment that is pushing him to this decision."
— CBS Sports College Basketball (@CBSSportsCBB) June 22, 2026
College Basketball Insider @MattNorlander reveals what really led to Dusty May leaving college hoops for the NBA. pic.twitter.com/4ZewhwxbZc
Norlander also added that it wasn't an easy decision, and he was hesitant to leave, especially after loading up the roster at Michigan.
"May met with Mavericks leadership over the weekend and eventually agreed to the deal after some internal back-and-forth over whether to leave his roster almost three months into the offseason. I'm told it was extremely difficult to say yes, particularly given Michigan's intense roster churn after winning the title and its reward for doing so: Michigan is widely viewed as a preseason top-five team heading into November," Nroaldner wrote.
Michigan players will now have a chance to enter the transfer portal, and it's quite a blow in Ann Arbor.
Michigan Already Found Its Replacement
The state of college sports seemed to drive May away from college and into the NBA. Whether or not it works out for May and the Mavericks remains to be seen, but getting the chance to coach Cooper Flagg is another attraction for the former Wolverines coach.
Shortly after, Michigan identified assistant coach Mike Boynton Jr. as the replacement, and he is being named the interim head coach.
Sources: Michigan is working toward hiring Mike Boynton Jr. as interim coach, per me and @jeffborzello and @AdamSchefter. pic.twitter.com/vZquplDDgB
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) June 22, 2026
Boynton had a 119-109 record as head coach at Oklahoma State, and he will now take over a talented roster.
In the end, May's departure is a shocking turn of events, but it might be a situation more coaches decide on with the way the landscape is evolving in college athletics.
Related: Dusty May to the NBA: Brilliant move or massive risk?
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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 5:25 PM.