Just one year into his tenure at Michigan, Dusty May has already proven his worth. The Wolverines coach, who rescued a program that had bottomed out under Juwan Howard with an 8-24 record and last-place Big Ten finish, has turned heads quickly enough to earn a major contract upgrade.
When May signed his original five-year deal fresh off FAU’s 2024 NCAA Tournament exit, few could have predicted how rapidly he’d transform Michigan basketball.
How Did Dusty May’s Quick Success Lead to a Major Contract Revision?
May wasted no time making his mark in Ann Arbor. Within weeks of his arrival, he brought in eight offseason commitments, including his former FAU center Vlad Goldin. By November, he had guided Michigan to a 6-1 start and a Fort Myers Tip-Off trophy. The momentum was undeniable, and by February, Michigan decided May’s performance deserved more than his original deal offered.
INTERVIEW: Dusty May takes over as Michigan’s new men’s basketball coach after six winning seasons at FAU.
We talked about his decision to take the job, and how his wife joked that he’s a bad businessman when it comes to contracts. He aims to put more banners in Crisler Center. pic.twitter.com/fhzWbzana1
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) March 27, 2024
According to reports from The Detroit News, May’s base salary jumped from $3.825 million to $5.1 million annually as part of a newly revised contract. The new deal puts May on track to earn $4.6 million this season, with $250,000 yearly increases leading to $5.6 million in season five. All told, he’s sitting on a $25.5 million package with additional performance incentives.
The bonus structure shows just how ambitious Michigan’s expectations have become. May can earn up to $225,000 in additional bonuses each regular season, including $50,000 for winning the Big Ten outright, another $50,000 for a conference tournament title, $50,000 for national coach of the year honors, and $25,000 for sharing the league title.
May also has over $1 million in NCAA Tournament incentives in the deal as well.
These aren’t participation trophies. They’re benchmarks that signal Michigan expects to compete at the highest level.
What Makes This Contract Extension Different From Typical Coaching Deals?
Michigan didn’t just reward May with money. They built a fortress around him. The buyout structure starts at $7 million and scales down annually, making it extremely expensive for another program to poach the coach. Meanwhile, if Michigan fires May without cause, they’re on the hook for his full base salary. This mutual commitment reflects how confident both sides are in the partnership.
The aggressive contract revision makes sense when you consider May’s track record. His first season in Ann Arbor produced a 27-10 record and a Sweet 16 appearance, with the Wolverines going 14-6 in Big Ten play. His .730 winning percentage at Michigan and .659 overall mark reflect consistent success that began long before he arrived in Ann Arbor.
At FAU, May compiled a 126-69 record over six seasons, including the memorable 2022-23 campaign, during which the Owls went 35-4 and made their Cinderella Final Four run. That success wasn’t accidental. It was the result of systematic roster building and strategic adaptation, which he’s now bringing to Michigan.
How Is May Building on Last Season’s Success?
Despite losing key contributors like Goldin and Danny Wolf, May believes this year’s team could be even more dynamic.
“I think we can be even more unique,” he said recently during a press conference. “There will be times where we roll out a really, really big lineup like we did in the Big Ten tournament.”
The roster construction supports that flexibility. Point guard Elliot Cadeau transferred in from North Carolina, while LJ Cason provides additional depth in the backcourt. Nimari Burnett returns at shooting guard for his final season, and Ohio State transfer Roddy Gale Jr. brings versatility to the wing positions. The frontcourt features UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg, the top-rated transfer at his position, alongside Will Tschetter.
At center, Illinois transfer Morez Johnson and former UCLA 7-footer Aday Mara give May the size to match up with anyone in the Big Ten. This depth allows the Wolverines to go big when they need to control the paint or downsize when pace becomes critical. That adaptability was key to their success last season and could make them even more dangerous this year.
The combination of May’s proven track record, Michigan’s financial commitment, and a roster built for multiple styles of play suggests the Wolverines are positioning themselves for sustained success. With incentives that reward conference titles and national recognition, May has every reason to push this program toward the elite level that Michigan basketball once represented.
