Michigan basketball fans got shocking news on Monday as the Dallas Mavericks hired away Dusty May to be their head coach.
It's not stunning that May left for the NBA. That always felt like that was going to be his next destination. The timing is what was surprising.
Michigan basketball just won the national championship back in April. Despite three players expected to be picked in the NBA draft lottery tomorrow night, the Wolverines were still supposed to be a contender to repeat or at least have a shot to make the Final Four again.
Now, everything is up in the air.
Michigan will have to hire a new head coach as soon as possible. Players will also get a 15-day window to leave for the transfer portal. All that isn't great. The future of Michigan basketball is suddenly in doubt after the best season in program history.
It feels very much like 2024 all over again when the Wolverines weren't able to capitalize on winning the college football national championship because of Jim Harbaugh's departure.
All of that is fair. Michigan fans should be sad about it, but more than anyhting, they should be happy for Dusty May, and thankful for what he did.
It makes me think about that famous quote often attributed to Dr. Seuss: "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."
Michigan fans should be thankful for Dusty May
Morez Johnson and Aday Mara could have come back for another season. Leaving for the NBA was in their best interest, just like May thinks it is in his. He will be coaching Cooper Flagg, and he will have a lottery pick to use on Tuesday night.
It's a legitimate opportunity to build an NBA title contender. He's already got the superstar, the most important and difficult piece to acquire. Maybe May will wind up selecting one of his former pupils with the Wolverines.
The bottom line is that May did the unthinkable at Michigan. He won the school's first national championship in college basketball since 1989. I never thought I would see it in my lifetime.
Dusty May made that happen. Just like when John Belein left or when it was Jim Harbaugh deciding to leave for the NFL, there's no ill will.
Michigan fans should thank Dusty May for everything he did, wish him the best in the future, and enjoy all of the good times he brought to Ann Arbor, including a national championship.
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