The Michigan Wolverines have hired Dusty May as their new head basketball coach but had to ward off competition from two big basketball programs from rival Power Five conferences.
According to ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, both Louisville and Vanderbilt pursued May prior to him joining the Wolverines on a five-year deal. Louisville fired Kenny Payne after two seasons while the Commodores just parted ways with Jerry Stackhouse after five years at the helm.
“Several high-major programs — including Louisville of the ACC and Vanderbilt of the SEC — pursued May as a coaching candidate, but May ultimately became swept away with the alumni network and its fierce loyalty to the university and athletics, sources said. He believes that will help transcend some of the inherently transactional nature of the modern NIL/transfer portal era in recruiting and player retention,” Woj wrote.
The news is particularly devastating for Louisville fans, who were hoping to get the top coaching candidate out there to help restore some respectability to their program after going 12-52 over the past two seasons.
But Michigan were clearly ready to pay top dollar to get their man after winning just eight games under the leadership of Juwan Howard during the 2023-24 season.
The Wolverines made the NCAA Tournament twice with Howard during his five years at the helm, including a trip to the Elite Eight in 2021 and to the Sweet 16 in 2022.
Expectations will be high for May even with a five-year deal in place. There won’t be much room for error even in year one.