Dusty May left Michigan on June 22 to join the Dallas Mavericks as head coach, leaving the Wolverines in a tough spot ahead of the 2026 season.
Given the current college basketball landscape, many expected the program to lose a significant portion of its roster and incoming recruiting class. Instead, several players have opted to remain with the program, including top-100 freshman Joseph Hartman.
College basketball insider Joe Tipton reported Friday that Hartman would remain committed to Michigan despite May’s departure.
While many Michigan supporters saw the news as a positive sign of stability, others pointed to the growing influence of NIL.
“He already cashed the check,” a user wrote.
One fan wrote: “Its about the money, players could careless about the coach, lol”
Another echoed a similar opinion: “They chose Michigan for the money, the coach doesn’t matter anymore to these kids. It’s just a bonus to have good coaching”
Not everyone viewed the decision negatively. One believed Hartman was simply making the best move for his future.
“He’s betting on himself – which is exactly the right call in this era,” a user wrote.
“Let’s see how the coach is, he didn’t do much at Oklahoma State,” another wrote.
What Does This Mean for Michigan?
Hartman is ranked among the top 100 prospects in the 2026 recruiting class, and will be joining Lincoln Cosby, Trey McKenney, Elliot Cadeau, Moustapha Thiam, JP Estrella, and others.
Hartman originally signed with the Wolverines in November 2025 after choosing Michigan over other prominent programs. He is the son of Florida associate head coach Carlin Hartman.
“Joseph is a floor general. He plays with great command and confidence, and his voice carries through the team. He’s a strong decision-maker who understands tempo, spacing and how to put teammates in successful positions. He combines toughness with feel. He’s not afraid to make the extra pass or take a big shot when it matters. His competitive nature and basketball IQ make him a perfect fit for how we want to play. What we love is that Joseph loves the process — film, lifting, reps. He’s wired to improve every day, and that mindset will serve him and our program extremely well.” – Dusty May said to On3.
Michigan’s roster stability remains very important now as the new season is just months away. Keeping much of its recruiting class intact will give interim coach Mike Boynton Jr. a stronger foundation to work on.
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