Michigan Coach Dusty May Boasts Impressive NCAA Tournament Winning Percentage

May's tournament record and win percentage rank among the best in college basketball history.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:55am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the energy and movement of a college basketball game, with sharp geometric shapes and vibrant colors representing the strategic and competitive nature of the sport.Dusty May's rapid rise to coaching prominence is reflected in his impressive NCAA Tournament record, which places him among the all-time greats in college basketball.Terre Haute Today

Dusty May, the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, has an impressive NCAA Tournament record and winning percentage despite a relatively short head coaching career. In just eight seasons as a Division I head coach, May has led his teams to the tournament four times, winning 12 of 15 games for an .800 winning percentage. This puts him among the all-time greats in tournament success, trailing only legendary coaches like John Wooden and Dan Hurley in win percentage.

Why it matters

May's rapid rise to coaching prominence and tournament success has made him one of the most sought-after coaches in college basketball. His ability to quickly turn around programs and lead them to deep tournament runs has elevated him into the upper echelon of college coaches, and his recent championship win with Michigan has cemented his status as an elite tactician and program builder.

The details

In his eight seasons as a head coach, the first six at Florida Atlantic University and the last two at Michigan, May has compiled a 189-82 overall record for a .697 winning percentage. However, it is his NCAA Tournament performance that has been truly remarkable. With Michigan, May has led the Wolverines to two tournament appearances, winning the national championship in 2026. Prior to that, he guided Florida Atlantic to the school's first-ever Final Four in 2023, narrowly missing out on the program's first championship game appearance.

  • May was hired as the head coach at Florida Atlantic University in 2018.
  • In 2023, May led Florida Atlantic to the school's first-ever Final Four appearance.
  • May was hired as the head coach at the University of Michigan in 2024.
  • In 2026, May led Michigan to the school's first national championship since 1989.

The players

Dusty May

The 49-year-old head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, who has quickly established himself as one of the top coaches in college basketball with his impressive NCAA Tournament record and championship pedigree.

John Wooden

The legendary former head coach of the UCLA Bruins, who holds the record for the best NCAA Tournament winning percentage at .825 with a 47-10 record.

Dan Hurley

The current head coach of the UConn Huskies, who has a .769 NCAA Tournament winning percentage with a 20-6 record.

Mike Krzyzewski

The former head coach of the Duke Blue Devils, who had a .765 NCAA Tournament winning percentage with a 101-31 record over 132 tournament games.

Roy Williams

The former head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks and North Carolina Tar Heels, who had a .745 NCAA Tournament winning percentage with a 79-27 record.

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What they’re saying

“Dusty May has proven himself to be one of the elite coaches in college basketball with his tournament success. His ability to quickly turn around programs and lead them to deep runs in the NCAA Tournament is truly remarkable.”

— Andrew Gitto, Sportswriter

What’s next

May's success at Michigan is expected to continue, as he has agreed to a five-year contract extension with the school that will keep him in Ann Arbor through the 2029-30 season. With the Wolverines returning a talented roster, May will look to lead the team to more deep tournament runs and potentially defend their national championship.

The takeaway

Dusty May's rapid rise to coaching prominence and his impressive NCAA Tournament record have cemented his status as one of the top coaches in college basketball. His ability to quickly turn around programs and lead them to deep tournament runs, including a national championship with Michigan, has made him a highly sought-after coach and a model of success for up-and-coming programs.