INDIANAPOLIS — Michigan coach Dusty May addressed the speculation surrounding the North Carolina vacancy Friday, saying “it’s well-documented how happy I am at Michigan.”
May wouldn’t directly comment on the Tar Heels’ job opening, pointing to a remark he made last February during Indiana’s job search. May, an Indiana grad who was a student manager under Bob Knight, said at the time it was “flattering” that the Hoosiers had interest in him.
“After last year, I decided that I’ll never, ever respond to any job speculation,” May said Friday. “I made the comment that I was flattered about a certain job opening because of my background. That was misconstrued. And so I just decided that I’m never going to comment on any job that I don’t have.
“I think it’s well-documented how happy I am at Michigan. Obviously, my private life, my personal life, my family, their happiness is very important. So yeah, I love it at Michigan, but I’ll never, you’ll never hear me comment on any other job unless Michigan lets me go — and then I’ll comment on every job,” he added with a smile.
May agreed to a new deal with Michigan shortly after last year’s comments on Indiana and then guided the Wolverines to the Sweet 16. This season, the Wolverines have been one of the best teams in the country since the outset, sitting at 35-3 overall entering Saturday’s Final Four showdown against Arizona. Top-seeded Michigan won the Big Ten regular-season title and had 28 wins by double digits.
His new deal in Ann Arbor runs through 2030 and includes a $7 million buyout if he were to leave for another job this spring.
May’s counterpart Saturday, Arizona‘s Tommy Lloyd, has been asked multiple times this week about his links to the North Carolina job.
“I’m a simple guy. I’m kind of just one thing at a time. I’m not a multitasker,” Lloyd said Thursday at his pregame news conference. “You can ask my wife. So, I’m 100% locked in on Arizona basketball right now, and I’m excited to see what this team can do. I have a real strong belief in this team, and this team deserves my full attention, so that’s what I’m giving.”
North Carolina fired Hubert Davis last month after five seasons in charge of the Tar Heels. Carolina blew a 19-point lead to VCU in the first round of the NCAA tournament, marking the second year in a row the Tar Heels failed to get out of the first round.
Lloyd, May and Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan have been the most prominent names associated with a move to Chapel Hill.
