In the winter of 1996, Dusty May quit playing basketball. He swapped a ball for a clipboard, basketball shoes for sneakers and his jersey for a pullover.
After just one semester, May left then-Division II Oakland City University in Oakland City, Indiana, and enrolled at Indiana to become a student manager under Bob Knight. Over the next four years in Bloomington, he learned the ins and outs of coaching from one of college basketball’s legendary coaches.
“What’s your competitive advantage as a student manager that transferred in as a marginal Division II player?” May said. “You think back, all I did was show up with great passion and energy for this game and helping people everyday. Because of that, I think people always saw something or believed in me.”
Since then, May’s career has skyrocketed.
Five years after earning his first head coaching gig at Florida Atlantic University, he led the program to a 35-4 record and its first ever trip to the Final Four in 2023. After leading the Owls back to the NCAA Tournament the following year, May was hired to replace Juwan Howard as the head coach of Michigan ahead of the 2024-25 season.
The Wolverines finished 8-24 in Howard’s last season. They’re currently 18-5 (10-2 Big Ten) and second in conference standings.
Most recently, Michigan survived a second half surge to secure a 70-67 win against Indiana on Saturday in May’s return to Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington.
The Hoosiers trailed 43-27 at halftime, before nearly mounting a comeback that was helped in part by the Wolverine’s shooting struggles. Ultimately, May led his Wolverines to their fourth-straight win by 4 or fewer points.
“I thought our guys played with great physicality and determination,” May said postgame. “To go 0 for 9 from 3 in the second half and still find a way is a testament of a team that just has a belief that they’re going to figure it out”
It’s also the testament of a head coach. One who, before the game, received a warm welcome from his alma mater.
Minutes after Michigan took the floor to a barrage of boos from the Hoosier faithful, a much different reaction faced its coach. When his name was announced to close out the Wolverines’ starting lineup, May received an audible cheer from the nearly sold-out home crowd.
“I heard the ovation, and I appreciated it,” May said. “I didn’t score a basket here, and to be shown gratitude like that, yes, it does feel good.”
The reception he received likely had underlying intentions.
On Friday morning, the Indiana Daily Student reported head coach Mike Woodson would step down at the end of the season. Indiana Athletics confirmed the news Friday afternoon via press release. With Woodson leaving, conversations surrounding viable successors quickly sprang up. It didn’t take long for May’s name to enter the pool of potential candidates.
In the aftermath of the Wolverines’ win, he was asked about the rumors circling his future.
“That stuff’s crazy,” May said. “I love being at Michigan. I love our team. We’re fighting like crazy. (Indiana) is my foundation, but I’m very, very happy to be at the University of Michigan.”
In the buildup to Saturday, May continuously discussed treating the game like any other — it showed. Throughout the win, his routines, mannerisms and emotions were consistent with his comments.
During play, he paced back and forth in front of the Wolverines’ bench, actively directing players to their defensive assignments or urging them to push the floor in transition. He occasionally crouched in front of the scorers’ table, pondering substitutions or analyzing the game.
His spot on Michigan’s sideline — three seats in from midcourt — was generally left vacant; spare the occasional trip for water. During timeouts, May followed his standard protocol of discussing adjustments with his coaching staff before relaying them to his circle of players.
Following the Wolverines’ win, he promptly approached Woodson, shook his hand and led his team into the visiting locker room.
Still, college basketball is unpredictable and ever-changing. Even if May put aside his Cream and Crimson roots during the 40 minutes on the floor, they still exist.
“Look, I enjoy watching all Indiana Athletics,” May said. “If I turn on the TV on the Big Ten Network and IU soccer is playing in the Final Four, I’m cheering. Because I went to school here.”
Although he followed up the remark by again emphasizing his focus on his current job in Ann Arbor, Michigan, it's clear Indiana Athletics still holds a place in May’s mind. The question becomes whether that connection looms large enough for him to leave a surging Michigan team chasing a Big Ten title for an Indiana team in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season.
May’s coaching journey began at Indiana. With Woodson stepping down, he could feasibly be on the call list for the coveted position. May said Indiana was his foundation — it may be his future.
Follow reporters Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) and Quinn Richards (@Quinn_richa) and columnist Mateo Fuentes-Rohwer (@mateo_frohwer) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s basketball season.
