Michigan Coach Dusty May's Son Charlie Joins Him on Wolverines Sideline

The father-son duo have made their mark on the Michigan basketball program in recent seasons.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 9:55pm

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A vibrant, fractured painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, breaking down a basketball game into overlapping planes of color and geometric shapes, conveying the dynamic energy of the sport.A cubist-inspired illustration captures the energy and movement of a Michigan basketball game, with the players and court deconstructed into abstract geometric shapes.Terre Haute Today

Michigan men's basketball fans have become familiar with the May name in recent years, as head coach Dusty May and his son Charlie, a walk-on guard for the Wolverines, have both made their mark on the program. While the connection between the two Mays may have seemed coincidental at first, it's now clear that they are indeed related, with Charlie being Dusty's son.

Why it matters

The relationship between Dusty and Charlie May highlights the close-knit nature of the Michigan basketball program and the opportunities that can arise when a coach's son joins the team. It also provides an interesting human-interest angle to the Wolverines' success on the court in recent seasons.

The details

Charlie May is a 6-foot-5 walk-on guard who has appeared in 11 games for Michigan over the past three seasons, scoring his first career points in a win over Oakland in November 2025 and adding another three-pointer in the Wolverines' Elite Eight victory over Tennessee. Prior to joining the Wolverines, Charlie spent two seasons as a walk-on at Central Florida and helped lead his high school team to a state championship in 2020.

  • Charlie May scored his first career points for Michigan in a win over Oakland on November 4, 2025.
  • Charlie May hit a three-pointer in Michigan's Elite Eight win over Tennessee on March 29, 2026.

The players

Dusty May

The 49-year-old head coach of the Michigan men's basketball team, known for his charisma and tactical acumen. He is the father of Michigan walk-on Charlie May.

Charlie May

A 6-foot-5 walk-on guard for the Michigan men's basketball team, who is the son of head coach Dusty May. He has appeared in 11 games for the Wolverines over the past three seasons.

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What they’re saying

“It's obviously tough to give up playing the game and being on a team wearing a jersey. But I just thought as far as his long-term development, all the things our managers learn, problem-solving, they learn people skills. They learn to function. We try to give them a lot of responsibility because we know if they're ever going to make it in coaching … they have to have the experience of doing meaningful work.”

— Dusty May, Michigan Head Coach

“I'd seen the managers from the outside, but I'd never been inside a program and seen it. What they've learned, how they go about their business, it made me want to be a manager more than anything. I feel like it's a much better path to becoming a coach eventually.”

— Eli May, Michigan Student Manager

What’s next

Dusty May and the Michigan Wolverines will look to build on their recent success as they prepare for the upcoming 2026-27 season. With Charlie May continuing to contribute as a walk-on, the father-son duo will aim to lead the Wolverines to another deep NCAA Tournament run.

The takeaway

The relationship between Dusty and Charlie May showcases the close-knit nature of the Michigan basketball program and the opportunities that can arise when a coach's son joins the team. It also highlights the importance of developing well-rounded individuals, as Dusty May has encouraged his son Eli to pursue a career in coaching through his experience as a student manager.