Why jumping to NBA with Mavericks makes sense for Dusty May

Dusty May. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Why jumping to NBA with Mavericks makes sense for Dusty May

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Jun 22, 2026 11:45 AM ET

In a move that sent shockwaves across both the NBA and college basketball, Dusty May has decided to leave his post at the University of Michigan and jump to the Dallas Mavericks.

And after reportedly rejecting past overtures from other college programs, May couldn't resist the allure of the NBA.

Some may view a proven college coach taking his talents to the professional level as a risk. May will now transition from dealing with young players leaving home for the first time to managing grown men who may feel even more accomplished than their head coach from just an NBA perspective.

Taking the Mavericks' offer just makes sense for Dusty May

But when dissecting the choice and timing, so much about May joining the Mavericks makes sense.

At 49, May still has many more years left in his coaching career, granted there will still be plenty of younger coaches in the NBA. The longer he waits and the more pro opportunities he passes up, the more the chance to try the NBA level may eventually go away.

While this is surprising, it's also not. I totally get it.

After proving himself at every level of college basketball, namely winning a national title and taking a mid major to a Final Four, May couldn't resist the chance to coach Cooper Flagg and make even more money. https://t.co/UxvSliKqQe
— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) June 22, 2026

With a resume as full as possible as far as college basketball, May has 190 total wins and led FAU to an improbable Final Four in 2023 and then delivered Michigan a national championship in 2025, proving himself with both a mid-major and a major brand. Comforted by a complete track record, May realized the Mavericks offer everything a first-time NBA coach could want.

Dusty May couldn't resist the intriguing nature of coaching Cooper Flagg

In Dallas, May will coach Cooper Flagg, still 19 until December, as he continues to ascend into becoming one of the top stars in the NBA.

Flagg made history on an almost nightly basis, averaging 21.0 points per game and shooting 46.8 percent from the field en route to being named Rookie of the Year. Flagg, drafted by the Mavericks with the No. 1 overall pick in 2025, provides May with the cornerstone player to build around that most coaches spend years looking for.

May will also partner with a proven championship executive in Masai Ujiri, hired by Dallas to lead the post-Luka Doncic era of the franchise and find pieces that work best around Flagg.

So even though the presently constructed Mavericks are far from ready to contend for an NBA title, the organization has become the type of situation an accomplished college coach like May couldn't resist or pass up.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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