Michigan basketball to hire Dusty May as head coach after all

Just when you think something is a done deal, it isn’t. That applies to Michigan basketball and Dusty May. Earlier on Saturday, Blue By Ninety learned from sources close to the situation that Louisville was going to be naming May as their next head coach.

However, that changed on Saturday night as Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that May would become the next Michigan basketball head coach, replacing Juwan Howard.

ESPN Sources: Florida Atlantic’s Dusty May has agreed on a deal to become the next coach at the University of Michigan. Andy Miller — May’s representative with Klutch Sports — is completing details with school officials on a long-term contract tonight. pic.twitter.com/oEVAzbbDuW

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 24, 2024

Of course, we never want to get something wrong and we are still figuring out the details of what happened. But May was set to become Louisville before something changed in favor of the Wolverines.

There have been reports from Trilly Donovan that Darian DeVries is going to be taking the job at West Virginia. He seemed like the top choice after May to Louisville was a “done deal.”

Yet, until the deal is actually signed, it’s not done. Wojnarowski reports that will happen tonight with May and the Michigan basketball program.

Initial thoughts on the hire for Michigan basketball

Some Michigan basketball fans were relieved when it looked like May was heading to Louisville. However, there are things to like about the former FAU head coach, and not just that he took the Owls to the Final Four last season.

That run was impressive. Some might have been disappointed by this season, but the Owls were a No. 9 seed in the 2023 NCAA tournament. They made it back as a No. 8 seed this season. Yes, they lost to Northwestern but that’s not going to be a predictor of future success.

The most impressive thing about May and the reason he’s a fit for the Wolverines is that he’s invested in high school recruiting. He’s also known for building an elite culture. How else do you think he got all of his players to return to FAU after the Final Four?

Beyond that, taking a team without a single top-100 signee to the Final Four is impressive. May did that. He might not be John Beilein or a proven head coach, but Louisville and Ohio State wanted him. He’s been to the Final Four and two NCAA tournaments and if he is the next head coach, I think it’s a good hire.

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