Dusty May happy at Michigan, won’t talk about UNC job

INDIANAPOLIS — Michigan coach Dusty May addressed speculation surrounding the North Carolina vacancy Friday, saying, “It’s well documented how happy I am at Michigan.”

May would not comment directly on Tar Heel’s job opening, pointing to a comment she made last February during a job search in Indiana. May, an Indiana grad who was a student manager under Bob Knight, said at the time that it was “flattering” that the Hoosiers had interest in him.

“After last year, I decided that I would never respond to any job speculation,” May said Friday. “I commented that I was flattered about a certain job opening because of my background. That was misconstrued. And so I decided I would never comment on a job I didn’t have.

“I think it’s well-documented how happy I am at Michigan. Obviously, my personal life, my personal life, my family, their happiness is very important. So yes, I love it at Michigan, but I will never, never hear me comment on another job until Michigan lets me go — and then I’ll comment with a smile.”

May agreed to a new contract with Michigan shortly after last year’s comments about Indiana and then guided the Wolverines to the Sweet 16. This season, the Wolverines have been one of the best teams in the nation since the start, sitting at 35-3 heading into Saturday’s Final Four showdown against Arizona. Top-seeded Michigan won the Big Ten regular-season title and had 28 double-digit wins.

His new deal in Ann Arbor runs through 2030 and includes a $7 million buyout if he leaves for another job this spring.

May’s opponent Saturday, Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd, has been asked multiple times this week about his links to the North Carolina job.

“I’m a simple guy. I’m one thing at a time kind of thing. I’m not a multitasker,” Lloyd said Thursday in his pregame press conference. “You can ask my wife. So, I’m 100% locked in on Arizona basketball right now, and I’m excited to see what this team can do. I have real faith in this team, and this team deserves my full attention, so I’m giving it all.”

North Carolina fired Hubert Davis last month after five seasons at the helm of the Tar Heels. Carolina blew a 19-point lead at VCU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, marking the second straight year the Tar Heels failed to get out of the first round.

Lloyd, May and Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan are the most prominent names linked to a move to Chapel Hill.