John Beilein provided assistance to Warde Manuel in the process of hiring Dusty May as the new basketball coach for the Michigan Wolverines. This collaboration reflects the enduring connection and support within the Michigan athletics community. Warde Manuel, seeking a seamless and efficient hiring process after Juwan Howard’s departure, reached out to various sources for input. He enlisted the services of TurnkeyZRG, an executive search firm specializing in sports, and consulted with former basketball players to gather insights on the desired coaching profile for the Wolverines. Additionally, Manuel sought guidance from John Beilein, the program’s most successful coach to date.
Beilein, eager to contribute to the program’s success, expressed emotional involvement in the hiring process. He joined Manuel in discussions about potential candidates and played a pivotal role in connecting Manuel with Dusty May. Beilein’s experience and insights into coaching and program development were highly valued during this search. May, who met with Manuel and Beilein during the hiring process, acknowledged Beilein’s impact on his coaching philosophy and expressed admiration for Beilein’s accomplishments at Michigan.
Ultimately, May’s appointment as the new head coach of the Wolverines was influenced by the knowledge, experience, and conversations facilitated by John Beilein, highlighting the collaborative spirit and reverence for coaching excellence within the Michigan basketball community.