Leadership Lessons From Dusty May's Championship With Michigan

The piece reflects on Michigan’s national championship turnaround under coach Dusty May, hired in 2024 after the Wolverines’ worst season in program history, finishing 8-24. After 37 years without a title, Michigan went 37-3 as national champions. It attributes the success to May’s experience from coaching roles dating back to the 1990s, including work under Bob Knight at Indiana, then stops at Eastern Michigan, Murray State, UAB, Louisiana Tech and Florida, before leading FAU to a Final Four in 2023. The author highlights May’s strategy work, transfer-portal roster building, a “Team Before Self” culture, and calm leadership. It notes Michigan’s Big Ten regular-season record of 19-1 and mentions large average margins during the championship run.