College coaching staffs have to constantly recruit three types of players — high schoolers, players in the portal, and guys on their own roster. Dusty May and Kyle Church are working in tandem to ensure Michigan is set up for success now and in the future:
Dusty May and the Michigan Wolverines ’ coaching staff is facing the delicate challenge of focusing on competing for a Big Ten regular season championship while also keeping an eye on building the roster for next season and beyond.
Michigan must make sure there is an NIL plan in place to retain guys like Tre Donaldson, Roddy Gayle Jr. and Danny Wolf. Keeping returning players on board with competitive NIL initiatives is just as pivotal as recruiting new talent, whether it be through the high school ranks or through the portal.
Wolf is currently projected as a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, according to ESPN’s latest mock draft , so bringing him back for another season would be a significant development. In order to do that, the Wolverines will likely have to offer him a lucrative NIL deal.
May brought in a handful of transfers that have made an instant impact in his first season at Michigan, and it will be essential to continue to find success in the portal going forward. It’s difficult to compete at a high level in the present while putting some attention towards the future, but the staff is balancing it as best as they can, especially as recruiting has become more complex due to NIL and the portal.
“We’re recruiting everyday, but recruiting is different now,” May told the media on Monday. “It’s about keeping a pulse on what’s going on in all of college basketball. There’s going to be a moment that everything either holds together or guys are going in other directions for a number of reasons, and you have to be prepared financially and with decisive decisions.”
May knows recruiting in the modern era is extremely unpredictable, so it’s key to always have an established strategy. Whether that means you do whatever it takes to retain your own players, find a way to entice transfers to join the program, or even both.
Dusty May explained how the #Wolverines coaching staff is focused on competing for a Big Ten championship this year, while also keeping an eye on future roster construction as general manager Kyle Church continues to play a key role.
“We’re recruiting everyday but recruiting is… pic.twitter.com/jsyFW3wa5O
— Chas Post (@chas_post23) February 13, 2025
The Wolverines head coach also emphasized the best way to build a competitive roster next year is by having a strong finish to this year. Michigan currently sits in first place in the Big Ten with just seven games remaining in the regular season.
“Almost all of our focus is on this season. The more successful we are and the better our current players play, the easier it’s going to be for us to recruit,” May said. “That’s why we really continue to invest time in the gym with our guys.”
Michigan assistant coach and general manager Kyle Church also plays an important role in balancing short-term goals with long-term strategy. Church has worked with May for more than a decade and has proven to be a successful recruiter.
“Kyle is doing a great job of splitting his roles,” May said. “He’s a very knowledgeable scout coach, a competent recruiter and a great sounding board for me. We’ve been together so long that I can bounce ideas off him.”
Church’s understanding of roster construction and player development make him a perfect fit for the general manager position. His ability to manage recruiting and talent acquisition is a crucial asset in building a deep roster now and into the future, and the hope is he able to successfully juggle both positions during the season so the Wolverines are set up well for next season.
While balancing these responsibilities is a difficult task, Michigan’s coaching staff is working tirelessly to ensure the program remains competitive and well positioned for success on the court and in roster construction moving forward.