The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1544538
MAY 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 33 ❱ MICHIGAN BASKETBALL and now we'll have one of our sons still with us here [in sophomore manager Eli]. That's extremely important to us, to Anna and me. The Detroit airport is right down the road. It's one of the best in the country. So, our other boys can get here pretty easily. "Yeah — life is pretty good. As soon as we get our roster set, life will be great." Michigan is 64-13 in May's two years as head coach with championships each year (Big Ten Tournament in 2024-25). His total compensation was $5.1 mil- lion this year, including $4.6 million in base salary, $500,000 in performance bonuses for claiming the outright regu- lar-season Big Ten title ($50,000), being voted Big Ten Coach of the Year by league media ($50,000) and capturing the na- tional title ($400,000). In addition, this is his second bump in pay in two years. His base salary in- creased from $3.825 million to $4.6 million this season, which was set to increase $250,000 every year until it reached $5.6 million. Though terms haven't been disclosed, those figures are expected to go up dramatically with a new five-year deal. Manuel announced the extension after a championship parade April 11, during a celebration at Crisler Center in front of thousands at a ticketed event. "He will be the leader of this basketball team for many years to come," Manuel said to a standing ovation from Michigan players and fans and chants of "Dusty! Dusty!" from the crowd. Later he added, "I'm very relieved, but we knew it was done a few days before the final game. You want to have a coach that other people want, and I'm happy to keep him. Dusty and I have a great relationship and trust in one another. "For me, it feels awesome to know that he's going to continue to lead this program and continue to be the head coach here at Michigan." May, meanwhile, had a smile on his face as wide as the four-game gap between his team and second place in the Big Ten this year. "I'm very grateful, and during the NCAA Tournament, I just told Warde I'm not leaving. I probably ruined any leverage I could have had," May quipped. "It's an honor to coach at this great institution, and I just look forward to what's next." ❏ MICHIGAN LOSES TWO, ADDS TWO FOR 2025-26 Michigan lost freshman big man Malick Kordel and shooting guard Winters Grady to the transfer portal after the season, both committing to Minnesota days later. While the pro- gram was waiting on NBA decisions from Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara, they not only got confirmation that guards Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney would return, but also new pledges from five-star senior combo guard Brandon McCoy from the prep ranks and redshirt sophomore big man J.P. Estrella from Tennessee in the transfer portal. McCoy, a 6-foot-4 McDonald's All-American out of Sierra Canyon (Calif.), chose the Wolverines after visiting Arkansas, Miami and Alabama. He's ranked as the No. 11 overall recruit in the 2026 class per the Rivals Industry Ranking. He becomes the Wolverines' sixth commitment this cycle, joining four-star power forward Quinn Costello (No. 39), four-star small forward Lincoln Cosby (No. 43), four-star shooting guard Joseph Hartman (No. 90), three-star shooting guard Malachi Brown (No. 197), and unranked 7-foot-2 center Marcus Moller of Denmark. Michigan now has the No. 5 overall recruiting class in 2026, per Rivals, behind only Duke, Arkansas, USC and Arizona. McCoy gave the Wolverines a huge boost when he pledged during the Fab Five broadcast of Michigan's Final Four win over Arizona. "Coach May's vision lined up with my vision and dreams, which are to become a pro and stay in the league a long term," McCoy told ESPN. "He said I could fill up a stat sheet, play winning basketball, be an elite defender and play multiple positions." Estrella, meanwhile, offers the Wolverines more size if Mara heads to the NBA, as most expect. The 6-foot-11 forward averaged 10.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 0.8 assists in his third season with the Volunteers and more than doubled his scoring and rebounding output from the previous season. Estrella scored 7 points on 3-9 shooting and grabbed 7 rebounds in Tennessee's 95-62 loss to Michigan in the Elite Eight. Estrella is the No. 39 player overall in the transfer portal according to the On3 Industry Ranking. — Chris Balas Tennessee transfer J.P. Estrella, a 6-foot-11 forward, averaged 10.0 points and 5.4 rebounds for the Volunteers this past season. PHOTO COURTESY TENNESSEE ATHLETICS