Juwan Howard’s departure from Ann Arbor sees Dusty May stepping in, having agreed to a lucrative five-year contract with Michigan worth $3.75 million per year.
Michigan officially announced May’s hiring on Sunday, marking his return to the Big Ten conference and concluding his successful six-season tenure at Florida Atlantic, which notably included a Final Four appearance last year.
Michigan’s athletic director, Warde Manuel, expressed his enthusiasm for May’s appointment, citing his impressive track record as a coach, particularly highlighted by Florida Atlantic’s remarkable journey to the 2023 Final Four.
May had been reportedly considered for a coaching position at Louisville before opting for Michigan, leaving Louisville to explore other options for its coaching vacancy.
Michigan wasted no time in entrusting May with the task of reviving their basketball program, announcing his hiring barely a day after Florida Atlantic’s season ended.
Speculation about May’s future had been ongoing for over a year, fueled by his coaching success, especially following Florida Atlantic’s attention-grabbing performance last season and their near-miss Final Four run.
Despite efforts by Florida Atlantic to retain him with a contract extension after their Final Four run, May ultimately decided to move on, triggering a $1 million buyout clause.
Throughout recent weeks, May had been fielding inquiries about his future plans, maintaining a stance of openness to opportunities while expressing affection for his time at Florida Atlantic.
Michigan’s offer evidently proved too enticing for May to resist, given his successful tenure at Florida Atlantic, where he amassed an impressive record of 126-69 over six seasons, including consecutive winning records and significant achievements like reaching the Final Four.
May’s success at Florida Atlantic, achieved within budgetary constraints, underscores his coaching prowess, particularly evident in the team’s remarkable home record and numerous program milestones achieved under his leadership.
May’s coaching journey began as an assistant at various institutions before taking the helm at Florida Atlantic, with his achievements there surpassing the program’s historical benchmarks.
