The University of Michigan has nailed down the future of its men’s basketball program by securing a multi-year contract extension with head coach Dusty May, who has quickly proven his worth since his tenure began in March last year. According to the Detroit Free Press, May originally inked a five-year contract with an annual base salary of $3.75 million. The exact terms of the new deal have not been disclosed, but it's a strong signal of the university’s confidence in May after an impressive turnaround for the Wolverines.
Echoing the optimism of the renewed partnership, Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel voiced his excitement and touted May's influence, "I am excited to announce that Dusty and I have agreed to a new multi-year contract," Manuel said, as per ClickOnDetroit. "His commitment to this University and the success of the men’s basketball program has far exceeded our expectations and makes us all excited for what the future holds." Notably, under May's direction, Michigan basketball stands tall with a record of 20-5 overall and a 12-2 mark in the Big Ten.
May has engineered a significant bounce back for Wolverines basketball, transforming a team from an 8-23 finish last season to a promising campaign poised for postseason success. With the No. 12 U-M currently leading the Big Ten, this move to extend May's stint in Ann Arbor precedes a high-stakes game against arch-rival Michigan State. "I am grateful to Warde, U-M President Santa Ono, and all the members of the Board of Regents for the trust and support they have given me as the head coach," May told MLive. "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."
U-M President Santa Ono also expressed his satisfaction regarding the extension, "I am thrilled that Dusty will be with us long term," as reported by ClickOnDetroit. The extension is also perceived as a strategic move for Michigan, especially with the coaching shakeup at Indiana, May’s alma mater, after Mike Woodson announced stepping down.
