The Dallas Mavericks have made a surprising move by hiring Dusty May as their new head coach, following his impressive run with the Michigan Wolverines, where he clinched the 2026 national title. This decision comes just three months after the championship victory, as confirmed by CBS Sports' Gary Parrish. May, 49, takes over from Jason Kidd, who was let go after a disappointing 26-56 season.

May's tenure at Michigan saw him transform a struggling program, leading them to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and a remarkable turnaround from an 8-24 season to a title-winning team. His unique coaching style, characterized by a multi-big system, became a hallmark of his success.

Key points regarding May's hiring:

• First college coach to transition directly to an NBA head coach since John Beilein in 2019.
• Mavericks possess two first-round picks in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft, including the No. 9 overall pick.

The Mavericks are in a state of flux after trading star Luka Dončić to the Lakers in 2025 and have struggled, posting a 40-77 record since. The franchise is looking to revitalize its roster around 2026 Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, who averaged 21 points and 6.7 rebounds in his first season.

May's departure from Michigan poses significant challenges for the Wolverines, who are now at risk of losing key players in the transfer portal. Assistant coach Mike Boynton is a candidate for promotion, while external names like Billy Donovan are also considered.

As the Mavericks look to rebuild, immediate questions arise about the future of Kyrie Irving and how they will approach the draft. With May's experience and success, the Mavericks hope to regain their competitive edge in the NBA.