Michigan Extends Dusty May's Contract as Wolverines Coach

Athletic director says May will lead the team 'for many years to come' after winning national title in second season.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:20pm

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A fractured, abstract painting depicting a college basketball championship celebration, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in bright, contrasting colors.Michigan's national title triumph is celebrated through a Cubist lens, capturing the raw energy and emotion of the historic victory.Ann Arbor Today

Michigan basketball coach Dusty May has agreed to a new contract that will keep him leading the Wolverines program for the foreseeable future, according to athletic director Warde Manuel. May just completed his second season at Michigan, guiding the team to a national championship after inheriting a program that went 8-24 the year before his arrival.

Why it matters

Retaining a successful coach like Dusty May is crucial for Michigan to maintain its status as an elite college basketball program. May's quick turnaround of the Wolverines, culminating in a national title, has made him a hot commodity, so locking him up long-term was a priority for the athletic department.

The details

During a ceremony celebrating Michigan's NCAA Tournament championship, Manuel announced that he and May had already reached an agreement on a new contract that will have May leading the Wolverines 'for many years to come.' The 49-year-old May went 64-13 in his first two seasons at Michigan after previously coaching at Florida Atlantic, where he led the Owls to the 2023 Final Four.

  • On April 12, 2026, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel announced the contract extension for Dusty May.
  • May just completed his second season as Michigan's head coach in 2025-26, winning the national championship.

The players

Dusty May

The 49-year-old head coach of the Michigan Wolverines basketball team, who led the program to a national championship in his second season after inheriting an 8-24 team the prior year.

Warde Manuel

The athletic director at the University of Michigan, who announced the contract extension for head coach Dusty May.

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What they’re saying

“Dusty and I have already reached an agreement, and he will be the leader of this basketball team for many years to come.”

— Warde Manuel, Michigan Athletic Director

“It's been an honor for two years to represent all of you and to be called Coach by these guys. Anytime you have a group come together and you feel like they gave you so much more than you could ever give them, it melts you. These guys did it for each other. They did it for the staff. They did it for all of you, and they did it for all the right reasons — with class, with great effort and support for each other. That's all you can ask for as a coach.”

— Dusty May, Michigan Head Coach

What’s next

The details of May's new contract extension are expected to be finalized and announced in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Dusty May's rapid turnaround of the Michigan basketball program, culminating in a national championship in just his second season, has cemented his status as one of the top young coaches in college basketball. Locking him up long-term was a crucial move for the Wolverines to maintain their status as an elite program.