Dusty May Responds To UNC Basketball Rumors

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Apr 4, 2026 11:35 AM ET

Michigan's Dusty May has emerged as one of the top options for North Carolina's coaching vacancy. Is he interested in the gig though?

May, 49, had an excellent run at Florida Atlantic before agreeing to become Michigan's head coach in 2024. He then led the Wolverines to the Sweet 16 during his first season. Although he was already considered an elite coach, he's taken his stock to another level by reaching the Final Four for the second time since 2023.

Clearly, May's work at Michigan hasn't gone unnoticed. He's been linked to North Carolina ever since Hubert Davis was fired.

Now that Tommy Lloyd has removed himself from consideration, May is the No. 1 option on UNC's board.

Apr 2, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan head coach Dusty May during a press conference ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images© Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images.

May was asked about North Carolina's job opening during Friday's press conference. He smartly tip-toed around the topic.

"After last year, I decided that I'll never, ever respond to any job speculation," May said. "I made the comment that I was flattered about a certain job opening because of my background. That was misconstrued. And so I just decided that I'm never going to comment on any job that I don't have."

May then confirmed that he's very happy with his current role at Michigan.

"I think it's well-documented how happy I am at Michigan. Obviously, my private life, my personal life, my family, their happiness is very important. So yeah, I love it at Michigan, but I'll never, you'll never hear me comment on any other job unless Michigan lets me go -- and then I'll comment on every job."

"I have been told that Billy Donovan will not entertain a conversation with UNC until after the Chicago Bulls season is over...

I would expect names like Texas Tech's Grant McCasland, Vanderbilt's Mark Byington, and also Iowa's Ben McCollum to be on (UNC's) list." -… pic.twitter.com/fYw3aGfrgS
— CBS Sports College Basketball (@CBSSportsCBB) April 3, 2026

Michigan is fully committed to Dusty May.

On Friday night, CBS Sports insider Jon Rothstein provided an update on May's future in Ann Arbor. He said the athletic department for Michigan will do everything in its power to retain its head basketball coach.

"I have talked to Warde Manuel three times in the last week, Michigan’s athletic director, he has said every single time, ‘We are going to do everything we have to do to retain Dusty May as head coach.’ And, talking to a lot of people close to Dusty May, he’s not really that interested in going to a fish bowl like North Carolina," said Rothstein.

For now, May's focused on leading the Wolverines to their first national championship since 1989.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: