Michigan’s basketball program is riding a remarkable wave of success after clinching the NCAA championship just under a month ago. However, could this positive momentum be on the brink of fading?
Wolverines head coach Dusty May has made a name for himself as one of the premier coaches in the game this season, and there’s growing speculation that an NBA team may be eyeing him for a position as soon as this offseason.
In a column on Sunday, NBA veteran insider Marc Stein indicated that the Orlando Magic might be interested in bringing May on board if he’s open to a move from Michigan. The Magic, having recently let go of their head coach, Jamahl Mosley, following a disappointing exit from the playoffs after blowing a 3-1 series lead against the Detroit Pistons.
Should May choose to depart Michigan for the Magic, there are several potential candidates the Wolverines should consider to fill his shoes.
Billy Donovan
Donovan would be the best choice for Michigan, as he brings years of experience coaching at both the NBA and college levels. The 60-year-old head coach just stepped down from his job as the Chicago Bulls head coach for the last six seasons and is now back on the open market.
Rumors were swirling that Donovan was the favorite to take the head coaching position at North Carolina, which became available at the end of March. Still, the job ultimately went to former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone.
The Tar Heels may not have wanted to hire Donovan because he was still coaching the Bulls when they decided to bring on Malone. They couldn’t afford to wait for Donovan to step down from his position in Chicago, as they urgently needed a new head coach to tackle recruitment and the transfer portal.
Donovan hasn’t coached in college basketball since the 2014-15 season at Florida, but he did an outstanding job there, leading the Gators to back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007.
It may take Donovan a few years to adjust to the new level of college basketball, but when it comes to the strategy and tactics of the sport, he is among the best. He would be a great fit at Michigan.
Brian Dutcher
The San Diego State head coach has led the Aztecs for the past nine seasons, and he could serve as a solid stopgap for Michigan. Finding a head coach in the early part of May can be challenging, and Dutcher might be a candidate the Wolverines could look to for a few years. Although he will turn 67 this year, it’s possible he could continue coaching for another five to seven seasons.
Dutcher already had connections to Michigan, having served as an assistant coach there for 10 seasons from 1989 to 1999 under former head coach Steve Fisher.
Michigan fans may not be thrilled at the prospect of hiring a coach from San Diego State, but Dutcher is considered one of the best in the sport. He could be a game-changer, similar to what the football team did this offseason by bringing in Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham, who is 66.
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