Just two months after winning the national championship, Michigan basketball is at a crossroads once again.
Dusty May wasn't expected to be the savior of Michigan basketball when he was hired. Plenty questioned the hire when it was made. However, we all know how it worked out: May won a national title, two Big Ten titles, and put together the greatest season in Michigan basketball history.
His departure is stunning. It's a stain on Michigan and AD Warde Manuel. It's also another reminder that college basketball is a difficult gig right now. Here are four thoughts on May's departure and what it means for Michigan moving forward.
State of college hoops played a role
Matt Norlander of CBS Sports detailed a phone call Dusty May had with a transfer portal recruit. He committed over the phone. Norlander said he reaffirmed that commitment two more times before ending up somewhere else because of his agent. This player was Juke Harris.
https://t.co/ZUeywzXkOh pic.twitter.com/Or71xDfC5X
— Dylan Burkhardt (@umhoops) June 22, 2026
That's just one example of how difficult it can be. You have a kid committed, he tells you three times, and he still signs with another program for more money. That, and the fact that May reached the pinnacle of college basketball and wasn't able to enjoy it contributed to this decision.
May loves being a basketball coach. His job at Michigan entails a lot that doesn't have to do with basketball, such as fundraising, recruiting, etc. He doesn't have to build the roster in Dallas. Sure, he will have a say, but he can focus on the basketball and that surely appeals to him.
All basketball all the time.
Michigan dropped the ball again
Yes, the state of college hoops made a difference, but Warde Manuel should have given May a blank check and a lifetime contract in February. He was always going to leave for the NBA someday.
The fact that he already achieved every team goal at Michigan in two seasons only accelerated the timeline. He achieved what he came to achieve. And the Wolverines have let another coach that reached or won a national title game walk away along with John Beilein, Jim Harbaugh, and Erik Bakich.
It's mind-boggling. Wilson Speight, the former Michigan QB even posted that May wasn't going to stick around if Warde was still the AD. That's a rumor, but it makes sense, given all we know.
The timing is terrible, but also not bad
As far as hiring a full-time replacement, this couldn't have come at a worse time. Billy Donovan might be interested, but it will be hard to lure a college coach in May, just like it was for the Mavericks. May had to think long and hard about his decision.
Michigan basketball almost had no choice but to roll with Mike Boynton as the interim head coach. The players know and like him. He recruited most of them, too, and he has seven years of high-major head-coaching experience.
It will be fair to see what he can do in 2026-27, in what will be a high-profile job interview. Maybe Michigan makes a move before the season, but it feels like Boynton will get his chance, followed by a full search or him being named the full-time coach.
As far as why the timing isn't terrible, other programs have filled out their rosters and spent their NIL money. Certainly, a team like Kentucky could come up with some funds to land a Wolverine out of the portal, but it feels like Michigan will have a good shot to keep the roster together.
I'd be surprised if there wasn't at least one departure, but the Wolverines are getting paid $5 million from Dallas for May's buyout. Maybe some of that can be invested into the roster to keep it intact for the 2026-27 season.
Michigan can still be a contender
Despite everything, Michigan basketball can still be a top-10 team next season. Trey McKenney has confirmed that he will be back. Elliot Cadeau is the next big name. The Wolverines will be up a creek without a paddle if he leaves.
Moustapha Thiam and J.P. Estrella are critical, too. They just joined the program. Boynton and the players need to get them locked in, along with five-star freshman Brandon McCoy.
If those five stick around, with Boynton, the defensive coordinator the past two seasons, there shouldn't be a huge dropoff. May's superpower was building a roster. Michigan should get that benefit in 2026-27.
Beyond that is anyone's guess.
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