Dusty May built Florida Atlantic into the program it is today. After leading the Owls to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in program history, including the 2023 Final Four, May is moving on to a new challenge.
According to reports, May, 47, has accepted Michigan’s open coaching position. Although Michigan has struggled in recent seasons, it is a quality program in a Power Five conference.
In 2018, May took over a Florida Atlantic program with minimal success and one NCAA Tournament appearance in its history. May has excelled, posting winning seasons in all six of his seasons. He guided Florida Atlantic to the Final Four last season. Despite returning their core from last year, the Owls struggled to duplicate that success this season, losing in the tournament’s first round on Friday.
May departs the Owls with a 126–69 record in his six years at the helm.
Florida Atlantic is an intriguing job because of its recent success, the potential returnees, the athletic department’s commitment to having a winning program and the university’s location. Who should the Owls target to replace May? Here are three quality options:
Josh Schertz, Indiana State
After posting a .830 winning percentage and tons of postseason success at Division II Lincoln Memorial (Tenn.) in 13 seasons, Schertz has restored Indiana State into a competitive program. The Sycamores have won 20 games in the last two years and boast a .618 winning percentage in his three years at the helm. The Sycamores just missed out on an NCAA Tournament bid and are currently playing in the NIT.
Schertz, 48, is a Florida Atlantic alum. He also is connected to the opening at St. Louis. Florida Atlantic athletic director Brian White has hired two football coaches with previous head coaching experience, and hiring someone with Schertz’s background would make a lot of sense.
Kyle Church, Florida Atlantic
Church has played a key role in helping May build the Owls into a quality basketball program. He has been on May’s staff for all six years after they worked together at Lousiana Tech and Florida.
Church understands everything involved with the program and what it takes to recruit and win at Florida Atlantic. There’s always a risk in hiring an assistant without head coaching experience. But if White is confident in Church’s ability, and Church can retain most of the current roster, it might be the smart move to make.
Florida Atlantic should also consider assistant coach Todd Abernethy for the position if they want to stay in-house for this position.
Takayo Siddle, UNC Wilmington
Siddle took over a struggling UNC Wilmington program in 2020 and has rebuilt it into a consistent winner. He has led the program to at least 20 wins in each of the last three years at UNC Wilmington and has posted a .675 winning percentage in his four years at the helm.
Siddle, 37, is a rising star in college basketball coaching. He’s considered a smart tactician and a strong recruiter. UNC Wilmington ranked 50th in scoring in college basketball this season, averaging nearly 80 points per game. He also built strong defensive teams during his time at UNC Wilmington.
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