Former Michigan basketball head coach praises new hire
While Michigan’s 2023-24 basketball season might not have lived up to expectations, the program has a new sense of direction after replacing Juwan Howard with former Florida Atlantic coach Dusty May.
The May hire came as a surprise to many as he was originally expected to take the Louisville job, but former Michigan head coach John Beilein was able to sit down with him and swing his decision at the last minute.
“I asked him several questions,” May said. “We just talked basketball and what we thought the best way to win here was.”
Beilein was Michigan’s head coach from 2007 to 2019, leading Michigan to two national title games and nine total tournament appearances. Beilein is currently serving in an off-the-court role for the Detroit Pistons but obviously still has love for Michigan.
So, of course, it was natural for Beilein to give May his public vote of confidence.
It’s exciting to see @CoachDustyMay as the MBB coach at @umichbball He has had great success as a HC and assistant and has worked hard for many years for this fabulous opportunity. Anytime he asks, I will be available to help him. Congrats Dusty, Anna, and family! #goblue
— John Beilein (@JohnBeilein) March 26, 2024
May is an exciting hire plain and simple. He spent six seasons at FAU and went 126-69 in that time frame. His FAU tenure concluded with back-to-back March Madness bids and a Final Four run in 2023. Unfortunately for May, FAU was bounced from the dance in the first round this year after getting in as an eighth seed. Importantly, however, May never had a season below .500 at FAU despite the previous seven seasons before his arrival being under the mark.
The guy just finds a way to win. He turned around FAU and made it into a strong mid-major conference contender, so there’s no reason he won’t be a terrific hire at Michigan.
Of course, May will have his work cut out for him when his first season starts later in 2024. The Wolverines have already lost leading scorer Dug McDaniels to the NCAA transfer portal with promising center Tarris Reed entering his name as well. The first task on his plate will, of course, be building a roster… and this is where Michigan fans will need to practice patience. Due to the nature of the transfer portal, May has already lost his two best players and might see more leave before the season starts. It’s a tough task to ask a new head coach to pull together a competent team without strong NIL or any returning talent, so it might be another sad season or two before Michigan is back playing in March Madness.
