JUNE 23: The Mavericks have announced May’s hiring in a press release, stating that an introductory press conference will be held at a later date.
“I am honored to join the Dallas Mavericks organization,” May said in a statement. “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 (governor) 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.”
JUNE 22: Dusty May will leave Michigan to become the Mavericks‘ next head coach, sources tell ESPN’s Shams Charania, Adam Schefter, and Pete Thamel (Twitter link).
May, 49, led the Wolverines to the NCAA championship in April and compiled a 64-13 record in his two years at the school. He was also successful in his six seasons at Florida Atlantic and is considered to be one of the top coaches in college basketball.
The new front office, led by president Masai Ujiri and general manager Mike Schmitz, also targeted Duke’s Jon Scheyer during its month-long coaching search. However, there was reportedly “pessimism” as recently as Friday that either of them would leave the college game for the NBA.
The chance to work with a young star in Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg helped lure May to Dallas, according to Thamel (Twitter link). The Mavericks hold the ninth and 30th picks in the first round of the draft, providing two more chances to add young talent in their rebuilding process. Aday Mara, Morez Johnson and Yaxel Lendeborg were all part of the national title team and could be possibilities for the Mavs now that May is their head coach.
May becomes the first college head coach to go directly to the NBA since 2019 when Michigan’s John Beilein took over in Cleveland, Charania, Thamel and Schefter state in a full story. No coach has taken an NBA job immediately after winning a national title since Larry Brown in 1988.
The authors note that May’s move creates chaos at Michigan, which was expected to be a strong position to repeat as national champs. Wolverines players will have a 15-day transfer window to consider other schools that will open five days after a new coach is hired or announced.
In addition to May and Scheyer, Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, Rockets assistant Royal Ivey, Raptors assistant Jama Mahlalela and veteran NBA coach Terry Stotts were viewed as candidates for the Mavericks job.
Former head coach Jason Kidd parted ways with the organization in May after a 26-56 season.
Portland is now the only NBA team with a head coaching vacancy.
