Michigan AD Focused on Keeping Dusty May Amid UNC Chatter

Wolverines' historic Final Four run has other programs eyeing their head coach

Mar. 30, 2026 at 2:38am

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As the Michigan Wolverines continue their impressive run to the Final Four, the school's athletic director, Warde Manuel, is focused on keeping head coach Dusty May amid growing interest from other programs, particularly the University of North Carolina. May has transformed the Wolverines into a powerhouse, leading them to dominant victories and showcasing his innovative coaching style.

Why it matters

Retaining Dusty May is crucial for Michigan to maintain their momentum and continue building a championship-caliber program. May's success has made him a highly sought-after candidate, and losing him could jeopardize the Wolverines' future success and the progress they've made under his leadership.

The details

May has built an impressive roster at Michigan, with six former top-50 high school recruits and one five-star transfer making up the eight-man rotation. The Wolverines play an unselfish, team-oriented brand of basketball, with a focus on pace, space, and passing. Michigan's offense uses isolation plays just 2.7% of the time, one of the lowest rates in the country. The team's success has been fueled by contributions from players like Yaxel Lendeborg, Elliot Cadeau, and Trey McKenney, who have all elevated their games under May's guidance.

  • Michigan defeated Tennessee 95-62 to win the Midwest Regional and advance to the Final Four on March 26, 2026.
  • Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel addressed the situation with Dusty May amid the team's celebration.

The players

Dusty May

The head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, who has transformed the team into a powerhouse and led them to the Final Four.

Warde Manuel

The athletic director of the University of Michigan, who is focused on keeping Dusty May as the Wolverines' head coach.

Will Tschetter

A fifth-year senior on the Michigan Wolverines basketball team.

Aday Mara

A 7-foot-4 center on the Michigan Wolverines basketball team.

Yaxel Lendeborg

A five-star transfer and a key player on the Michigan Wolverines basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“I have been in the opposite position in my career, where you have a coach that nobody wants. It's a better position to be in when you have a coach that other people want. That doesn't mean I want to let him go, or that I'm not going to work to keep him, but we have a coach that people should want.”

— Warde Manuel, Michigan Athletic Director

“The beautiful brand of basketball we were playing became contagious. You could see these guys feeding off of each other. When you have the big-time stop, and four guys block out, one guy gets a rebound, then you lead the break, and all five guys have a big, big part in beautiful basketball, it just feels so much greater for all of us, and that became contagious. It became energizing, and then it became a snowball that just kept going.”

— Dusty May, Michigan Head Coach

What’s next

The Michigan Wolverines will face off against the winner of the West Regional in the Final Four, with the national championship game scheduled for April 7, 2026.

The takeaway

Dusty May's success in transforming Michigan into a national powerhouse has made him a highly sought-after coaching candidate, with the North Carolina job being a potential target. However, Michigan's athletic director is determined to keep May in Ann Arbor and continue building on the team's impressive run to the Final Four.