Michigan, Dusty May agree to multi-year contract extension: Why the move solidifies May’s future

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan announced a contract extension for men’s basketball coach Dusty May on Friday, heading off speculation that May could be a candidate at his alma mater, Indiana.

In his first season at Michigan, May has the Wolverines (20-5, 12-2 Big Ten) in the hunt for a Big Ten championship and trending toward a top-four seed in the NCAA Tournament. His contract extension was announced roughly two hours before the Wolverines faced Michigan State in a battle for first place in the conference standings.

“My goal is to bring continued success to this historic program,” May said in a statement. “We cannot reach that goal without the hard work that my staff and players put into this program. We have built a solid foundation; however, there is much more work to be done. I look forward to those challenges and what the future holds for me and my family in Ann Arbor.”

May, a student manager at Indiana under Bob Knight, was one of the first coaches mentioned when Indiana announced that Mike Woodson would step down after the season. May, who is earning $3.55 million this season, told CBS Sports that the extension adds a year to his original five-year agreement with a $1 million raise and $7.5 million buyout, up from $5 million under the original deal.

May, 48, replaced Juwan Howard last March after seven seasons at Florida Atlantic. The Wolverines finished 8-24 last season and 3-17 in Big Ten play but have climbed to the top of the conference standings in May’s first season with a rebuilt roster that includes Yale transfer Danny Wolf and FAU transfer Vlad Goldin, two of the top big men in the Big Ten.

May’s extension solidifies his future in Ann Arbor

News that Woodson would be stepping down after four seasons at Indiana made for an awkward scene when May returned to Bloomington two weeks ago. More than a few Indiana fans hoped their school would be in position to hire May last spring, but the Hoosiers stuck with Woodson and Michigan landed one of the hottest names on the coaching market. That move has certainly paid off so far, as May has the Wolverines playing like a team that could make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Naturally, there was some nervousness in Ann Arbor that May might feel the pull of home if Indiana chose to pursue him. May called the speculation “flattering” when he was asked about it after Michigan’s win at Indiana.

“That stuff’s crazy,” May said. “I love being at Michigan. I love our team. We’re fighting like crazy. That’s it. This place is my foundation, but I’m very, very happy at the University of Michigan. Came here to win a game and mission accomplished.”

May has a son, Charlie, on the Michigan roster and has one of the top recruits in the nation arriving next year in five-star guard Trey McKenney from Flint, Mich. Extending May’s contract without any offseason drama was a win for Michigan.