Dusty May stays at Michigan as UNC coaching search shrinks

For the second time this week, North Carolina’s coaching wish list has gotten shorter, as Dusty May informed Michigan that he will stay at the school, ESPN’s Pete Thamel first reported. May is the second coach to take his name out of UNC’s search, as Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd did the same. Both coaches spent the week leading up to the Final Four fielding questions about the North Carolina head coaching job and their reported interest in it.

May has led Michigan , which is 36-3 this season, back to the national championship game for the first time since 2018. Before he landed in Ann Arbor, he was the head coach at Florida Atlantic from 2018 to 2024, leading the Owls to the Final Four in 2023. They were a buzzer-beater shot away from advancing to the title game in a 72-71 loss to San Diego State.

Sources: Dusty May has informed Michigan officials that he’s not pursuing any college basketball jobs, per me and @jeffborzello . May had been an initial target at North Carolina, but that never materialized because of Michigan advancing in the NCAA Tournament. pic.

twitter. com/RM1Q2yFYNf — Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 5, 2026 The Tar Heels were already at a crossroads before May’s decision on Sunday. In addition to Lloyd and May being taken off consideration, Alabama coach Nate Oats signed a lucrative extension Sunday.