The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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42 THE WOLVERINE ❱ NOVEMBER 2025 BY JOHN BORTON Y axel Lendeborg knew what he wanted, but his own tea m m a te s a n d coa c h e s thought he was crazy. Why would anyone desire a photo op with the opposing coach before a big game? For the then-University of Alabama- Birmingham junior, it made perfect sense. He liked fellow American Ath- letic Conference member Florida Atlan- tic's head coach, Dusty May. Respected him. Appreciated the way he conducted himself, around his own players and even those on the opposite bench. In a conference battle marked by some hard edges, May represented class and calm. So, why not snag a selfie before things got serious? As noted, those around him weren't on board. They thought it broke com- petitive decorum. They thought it was weird. "Man, the way he coaches players, it's like a father-son type of thing," Lendeborg offered. "I always wanted to play for a coach who had that type of relationship. He's a coach that never raises his voice at you, and if he does, it's something to help you out, never something to make you feel down about yourself. "It's kind of funny. The first time we PICTURE PERFECT Yaxel Lendeborg Is Right Where He Wants To Be 2025-26 BASKETBALL PREVIEW