The Dallas Mavericks today announced the appointment of Dusty May as the franchise’s new head coach.
May joins the Mavericks after leading the University of Michigan to the 2026 NCAA National Championship.
Widely regarded as one of the sport’s premier program builders and player developers, May has earned a reputation for creating winning cultures, maximizing talent, and leading teams to sustained success.
“We set out to find a leader who embodies the values we want to define our organization,” said Dallas Mavericks President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri. “Dusty has won at every stage of his career because of his ability to build. He develops players, creates accountability, and brings people together around a shared standard of excellence. His work ethic is extraordinary, and his teams consistently reflect his values. When you study his journey, you see someone who has earned every opportunity through preparation, discipline, humility, and an unwavering commitment to improvement. We believe those qualities make him the right leader for the Dallas Mavericks.”
In just two seasons at Michigan, May guided the Wolverines to national prominence, culminating in the program’s first NCAA National Championship since 1989 and posted a 64-13 record.
Prior to his success in Ann Arbor, May transformed Florida Atlantic University into one of college basketball’s most respected programs, leading the Owls to the 2023 Final Four, multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, and unprecedented national recognition.
May’s path to the NBA reflects a lifelong commitment to the game. He began his basketball career as a student manager under legendary coach Bob Knight at Indiana University before taking on video, operations, and support roles at both Indiana and USC.
Those early experiences laid the foundation for a coaching career built on hard work, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of every aspect of a basketball program.
His coaching career includes assistant coaching positions at Eastern Michigan, Murray State, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Louisiana Tech, and the University of Florida before becoming head coach at Florida Atlantic in 2018. Throughout his career, May has developed a reputation as one of basketball’s brightest strategic minds and most respected leaders.
“Dusty represents the type of leader we want guiding this franchise,” said Dallas Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont. “He has demonstrated throughout his career that success is built through preparation, character, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. His leadership style, ability to develop people, and championship mindset align with the vision we have for the Dallas Mavericks. We are thrilled to welcome Dusty, his wife Anna, and their sons Jack, Charlie, and Eli to the Mavericks family.”
“I am honored to join the Dallas Mavericks organization,” said May. “This is one of the most respected franchises in professional sports, with passionate fans, a talented roster, and a clear commitment to building a championship organization. I am grateful to Patrick Dumont, Masai Ujiri, and the Mavericks organization for this opportunity, and I look forward to helping bring another championship to the city of Dallas.”
May and his wife, Anna, have three sons: Jack, Charlie and Eli. Jack played collegiately at Florida and now works in the video department for the Miami Heat. Charlie was a member of Michigan’s 2026 NCAA national championship team before heading to Georgia as a graduate assistant in Athens. Eli currently works with the Wolverines basketball team as a student manager.
