#479 Dusty May, 2026 NCAA Champion Coach of Michigan Men's Basketball, on Creating a Culture of Error in and a Player Centered Environment in Practice, His Non Negotiables, and the Importance of Love in Coaching
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In this powerful episode of the Way of Champions Podcast, host Jon O'Sullivan sits down with Dusty May, the newly crowned 2026 NCAA Champion head coach of the University of Michigan men's basketball team, just weeks after leading his squad to national glory. May shares the deeply intentional, player-centered culture he built—centered on vulnerability, error acceptance, and love—that transformed Michigan into a championship program in just two seasons. He reflects on his journey from team manager under Bobby Knight to head coach, emphasizing the importance of humility, self-awareness, and continuous learning. May discusses how his calm sideline demeanor stems from a deliberate choice to avoid ego-driven reactions, instead fostering trust and autonomy in his players. He champions a 'culture of error' in practice, where mistakes are celebrated as learning opportunities, and champions the idea that true leadership is about service, selflessness, and creating an environment where every player feels seen and valued. The conversation also explores the power of incremental growth (Kaizen), the redefinition of 'fun' as hard work with purpose, and the critical role of love as an intentional, action-oriented force in coaching. Throughout, May’s authenticity, curiosity, and commitment to growth shine through, making this a masterclass in leadership and culture-building for coaches at any level.
Create a 'culture of error' in practice where mistakes are celebrated as learning opportunities, not punished.
Lead with love as a verb—demonstrated through action, empowerment, and demanding excellence as an act of care.
Foster player autonomy by trusting them to make decisions and solve problems during games, not just in practice.
Reframe 'fun' as hard work that is rewarding and enjoyable, not just games or leisure.
Cultivate a growth mindset through daily, intentional incremental improvements (Kaizen) and shared learning.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Sponsor Intro & Welcome: The Rise of a Champion Coach
Jon O'Sullivan introduces the episode with sponsor messages from Zone 14 Coaching and Sprocket Sports, then welcomes Dusty May, the newly crowned 2026 NCAA Champion head coach of Michigan, highlighting his meteoric rise from assistant to national title in just two seasons.
The Foundation: Mentors, Humility, and the Manager's Journey
“He called me Rusty Dusty. All I need to hear is red five, white four and gray nine. And I just thought like how I you know, as coaches, it taught me to teach in sound bites.”
Core Values: Non-Negotiables and the Culture of Fun
“The work should be fun. The pushing yourself past your threshold should be fun and it should be rewarding. And so I do think a big part of it is redefining what fun can be.”
Vulnerability, Autonomy, and the Power of 'Error'
“We want our environment to be fun. I mean, and once again, we want them to compete but not be afraid of the failure that can come with losing in competition.”
The Mindset of Growth: Kaizen, 1%, and Continuous Learning
“The 1% has become a cliche in coaching. And it's even 0.1%. If you can just continue to make those marginal gains, you end up winning the margin battles and the details.”
“No matter how I'm feeling, no matter how frustrated I am, yes, to do whatever you can just to bring a smile or some happiness or kind word, especially now that we have the platform that we have.”
“Leading with love is not the touchy-feely behavior of the 1960s or a kumbaya moment sitting around a fire holding hands. For me... it is about an intentional act of demonstrating.”
“You're not making a living, you're making a difference in the lives of people. And that's where your emphasis is. And that equals success.”
Host
Guest
Dusty May
person
University of Michigan men's basketball
organization
Bobby Knight
person
Florida Atlantic University
organization
John Wooden
person
Zone 14 Coaching
organization
Brad Stevens
person
Top Dog
book
Kaizen
other
Sprocket Sports
organization
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