Michigan head coach Dusty May once a candidate for Ohio State job

The national championship-winning coach was once a finalist to lead the Ohio State men's basketball team.

On April 6, No. 1 Michigan took down No. 2 UConn 69-63 to win its first NCAA men's basketball title since 1989. The Wolverines hired former Florida Atlantic University head coach Dusty May ahead of the 2024-25 season.

The Dispatch reported in March 2024 that May was previously one of the top candidates to become the OSU men's basketball coach. In fact, he and evenual Buckeyes' bench boss Jake Diebler were the two finalists. Diebler was hired at Ohio State on March 17, 2024.

Ohio State Buckeyes Amare Bynum (1) dribbles the ball against Texas Christian University Horned Frogs Micah Robinson (5) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

The Ohio State Buckeyes mascot takes the floor in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Texas Christian University Horned Frogs Brock Harding (2) dribbles the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Ohio State Buckeyes Jake Diebler reacts in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Ohio State Buckeyes Christoph Tilly (13) grabs a rebound past Texas Christian University Horned Frogs Brock Harding (2) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Ohio State Buckeyes Amare Bynum (1) grabs a rebound against Texas Christian University Horned Frogs Xavier Edmonds (24) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Texas Christian University Horned Frogs Xavier Edmonds (24) shoots the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Texas Christian University Horned Frogs Jayden Pierre (1) shoots the ball against Ohio State Buckeyes Christoph Tilly (13) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

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Buckeyes take on Horned Frogs in 1st round

Ohio State Buckeyes Amare Bynum (1) dribbles the ball against Texas Christian University Horned Frogs Micah Robinson (5) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

1 / 8

Buckeyes take on Horned Frogs in 1st round

Ohio State Buckeyes Amare Bynum (1) dribbles the ball against Texas Christian University Horned Frogs Micah Robinson (5) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

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Buckeyes take on Horned Frogs in 1st round

The Ohio State Buckeyes mascot takes the floor in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

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Buckeyes take on Horned Frogs in 1st round

Texas Christian University Horned Frogs Brock Harding (2) dribbles the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

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Buckeyes take on Horned Frogs in 1st round

Ohio State Buckeyes Jake Diebler reacts in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

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Buckeyes take on Horned Frogs in 1st round

Ohio State Buckeyes Christoph Tilly (13) grabs a rebound past Texas Christian University Horned Frogs Brock Harding (2) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

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Buckeyes take on Horned Frogs in 1st round

Ohio State Buckeyes Amare Bynum (1) grabs a rebound against Texas Christian University Horned Frogs Xavier Edmonds (24) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

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Buckeyes take on Horned Frogs in 1st round

Texas Christian University Horned Frogs Xavier Edmonds (24) shoots the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

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Buckeyes take on Horned Frogs in 1st round

Texas Christian University Horned Frogs Jayden Pierre (1) shoots the ball against Ohio State Buckeyes Christoph Tilly (13) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Diebler won the job with no head coaching experience beyond his brief tenure as Ohio State's interim. After Chris Holtmann's firing and a 4-10 Big Ten record to start the year, Diebler led the Buckeyes to an 8-3 record (5-1 in the Big Ten) when he took over, narrowly missing out on March Madness.

Ohio State missed out on the 2024-25 NCAA Tournament. Diebler reached March Madness in his second season as a No. 8 seed. Ohio State lost in the first round to No. 9 TCU.

May led FAU to two straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Final Four appearance as a No. 9 seed in 2022-23. Michigan hired May on March 23, 2024, and he spearheaded a quick rebuild. The Wolverines made the NCAA Tournament in May's first season after having missed out on March Madness the two seasons prior.

Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May motions during the second half of the NCAA men's basketball game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus on Feb. 8, 2026. Ohio State lost 82-61.

See how Ohio State fans are reacting to Dusty May's success and Ohio State choosing Diebler over May below.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Michigan head coach Dusty May was finalist at Ohio State