The Dallas Mavericks have chosen Dusty May as their new head coach, confirmed by a league source to The Athletic. May, who recently won a national championship with Michigan in April, steps into a leading role for a team centered around Cooper Flagg, the reigning Rookie of the Year.

At 49, May began his basketball journey as a student manager under Bob Knight at Indiana. He climbed the college basketball ladder, eventually becoming head coach at Florida Atlantic in 2018. During his last two seasons there, his team went 60-13, paving his way to Michigan in 2024.

May’s tenure at Michigan was marked by success. The Wolverines improved to a 27-10 record in his first season, a remarkable 19-win leap from the prior year. Last season, Michigan’s 37-3 record capped with a national championship win over Connecticut, highlighted his coaching prowess. Starters Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr., and Aday Mara, from that championship team, are projected as first-round selections in the NBA Draft.

In May, Mavericks’ president Masai Ujiri decided to part ways with Jason Kidd, who had four years left on a contract topping $40 million. Ujiri embarked on an extensive search for Kidd’s successor.

Reportedly, the Mavericks showed interest in San Antonio Spurs’ associate head coach Sean Sweeney, but he chose the Orlando Magic’s head coaching job. Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori was also interviewed.

Throughout the search, Ujiri evaluated numerous college coaches. Duke’s Jon Scheyer and Florida’s Todd Golden were among those considered. Ultimately, May’s impressive performance with Michigan made him the top choice, leading one of the most powerful college teams last season.