The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1544538
18 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MAY 2026 BY CHRIS BALAS W hen Warde Manuel first hired Dusty May from Florida Atlantic in 2024, one thing he stressed to his new coach was not to worry about winning right away. The Michigan ath- letics director had just removed Juwan Howard as head coach following an 8-24 season — the worst in program history — and while May had led Florida Atlantic to a Final Four and another NCAA Tour- nament the following year, it seemed he had his work cut out for him. May, though, had other ideas, and he let Manuel and everyone else know it. With the advent of the transfer portal allowing for one-year movement with no penalty and U-M's resources, the new Michigan coach set out on a mission. In addition to keeping key pieces like Nimari Burnett and Will Tschetter, he brought in several transfers — Roddy Gayle Jr., Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf — who would help lead the Wolverines to a Big Ten Tournament title and Sweet 16 in his first season. A year later, in only his second season, May stood on the podium at center court in Lucas Oil Stadium surrounded by his team while accepting the national cham- pionship trophy. Michigan fans had taken over the Indianapolis venue and roared with approval while the confetti fell fol- lowing a 69-63 win over UConn, many wondering the same thing: "How did we get here?" They weren't alone. May — flanked by (left to right) Yaxel Lendeborg, Will Tschetter and Elliot Cadeau — celebrated Michigan's national championship victory over UConn on April 6. PHOTO BY ANDREW MASCHARKA/MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY FROM THE ASHES Dusty May's Vision Brought Michigan From 8-24 To A Natty In Just Two Years