Dallas turns to college bench in coaching search

Dallas has begun mapping its post‑Jason Kidd era, and Masai Ujiri’s front office is testing an unconventional lane: the college coaching elite. According to Marc Stein, the Mavericks have initiated exploratory conversations with Duke’s Jon Scheyer and Michigan’s Dusty May, two of the most respected figures in the NCAA landscape. Scheyer has successfully guided Duke through the post‑Krzyzewski transition and the complexities of the NIL era, sustaining elite recruiting while developing top prospects such as Cooper Flagg. May, meanwhile, has rapidly elevated his profile by leading Michigan to a national championship in only his second season after arriving from Florida Atlantic.

Both coaches remain deeply rooted in their collegiate programs, yet Dallas wants to gauge whether mutual interest exists before advancing its search. The outreach signals a willingness to consider innovative profiles rather than relying solely on established NBA candidates. For a franchise seeking a fresh identity, the NCAA route is firmly on the table.