Dusty May got his coaching start as a student manager under legendary former Indiana coach Bob Knight. Now, as Michigan's head coach, his son is following in his footsteps.
Dusty May's son, Eli May, is the Wolverines' student manager in 2025-26. Another of his sons, Charlie May, is a walk-on guard on the roster. And while May's oldest son, Jack May, isn't on the Michigan roster, he was a former walk-on at Florida.
Dusty May spent one semester at Division II Oakland City University as a player before hanging up his shoes and transferring to Indiana, his hometown school. The second-year Michigan coach is only in his eighth season as a head coach, but already has a pair of Final Four appearances, including one at Florida Atlantic.
Dusty May's Michigan squad, a No. 1 seed this season in the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament, was one of the best teams in the country all year and has backed it up in March Madness. The Mays and Wolverines take on fellow No. 1 Arizona in the Final Four for a spot in the national championship.
And to think he started his coaching career as a student manager. Here's what to know of May's two sons who are also on Michigan's roster for the Final Four:
Who are Dusty May's sons?
Who is Eli May?
Eli May told USA TODAY Sports he never suspected his college career would take him to being a student manager for his father. He thought he would walk-on at South Florida, following the footsteps of brothers Charlie May (Central Florida) and Jack May (Florida) both of whom did the same while May coached at FAU.
“It’s obviously tough to give up playing the game and being on a team wearing a jersey,” Dusty May told USA TODAY Sports. “But I just thought as far as his long-term development, all the things our managers learn, problem-solving, they learn people skills. They learn to function. We try to give them a lot of responsibility because we know if they’re ever going to make it in coaching … they have to have the experience of doing meaningful work. Our managers have helped him become much more responsible.”
There isn't any special treatment for Eli May, either. Other Michigan student managers said he handles "grunt work" like the rest of them.
“I’m technically in charge of him and he never complains,” student manager Sam Saraceno said. “Eli is doing grunt work a lot of people wouldn’t do. That’s how you could tell it was different.”
Eli May wants to become a coach one day, just like his dad did. While he'll likely have an easier path than his dad, their coaching backgrounds will be rooted in the same fundamentals they learned as student managers.
"I’d seen the managers from the outside, but I’d never been inside a program and seen it. What they've learned, how they go about their business, it made me want to be a manager more than anything," Eli May said. "I feel like it’s a much better path to becoming a coach eventually.
Who is Charlie May?
Dusty's May eldest son in Michigan's program, Charlie May, is a 6-foot-5 guard who has even scored in March Madness this year.
May started his career at UCF but transferred to Michigan before last season to join his father. He only has seven career points, all of which have come this season. Three of those points came in the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament, when he swished a corner 3-pointer late against Tennessee in the Elite Eight on March 29.
“Honestly, I blacked out,” Charlie May told the Detroit News. “I don't even know what it looked like. But, man, it was a great feeling. I've been watching the NCAA Tournament since I can remember. To be able to score in a game like that is an amazing experience. I'm even happier we won the game and we're going to the Final Four.”
DUSTY MAY'S SON GETS A BUCKET 🪣
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2026
CHARLIE MAY GREEN LIGHT 🚦#MarchMadness@umichbballpic.twitter.com/WDG0C0s02V
Charlie May's shot meant a lot to Michigan's coach, especially in the moment.
“It’s really cool for our families," Dusty May said. "That's the most rewarding part of all this, to see everyone who has poured into us and our players in one spot, just feeling a part of it. Charlie, Howard, our walk-ons, they sacrifice a lot as well. They go through strongman, they lift every day and they rarely get to be a part of the actual game.
“To come in and have those moments and get a great assist from Will Tschetter, I thought it was just a cool moment. But I’m more proud about the long rebound he came up with than the shot.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who are Dusty May's sons? What to know of Eli, Charlie May for Michigan basketball