Former HBCU star Drew Williamson joins Dusty May’s Dallas Mavericks staff
The Dallas Mavericks have added another proven assistant to Dusty May’s rebuilt coaching tree, hiring former Virginia State associate head coach Drew Williamson as an assistant on July 14, 2026. Williamson reunites with May after five seasons together at Florida Atlantic and Michigan, where they engineered one of college basketball’s most unexpected title runs. Last result: Dallas Mavericks 149-128 Chicago Bulls (2026-04-13).
How Williamson and May built a college powerhouse
Before joining May at FAU in 2021, Williamson spent eight seasons at Virginia State, turning the Trojans into a CIAA dynasty. Under his watch, Virginia State won six straight CIAA Northern Division titles, two CIAA tournament crowns, and made four NCAA Division II Tournament appearances while averaging 21 wins per season. The 2018-19 Trojans set a school record with 28 wins, breaking the previous mark of 25 set the year before. They also logged winning streaks of 16 and 10 games en route to sweeping the regular season and tournament titles.
From Cinderella run to national title in three years
May brought Williamson to Florida Atlantic before the 2021-22 season, and the Owls immediately surged. In 2023, they reached the NCAA Final Four in Houston, one of the biggest Cinderella runs in recent tournament history. When May took the Michigan job in 2024, Williamson followed again. In their first season in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines vaulted from eight wins to 27-10 and won the Big Ten Tournament. The next year, Michigan set a program record with 37 wins, claimed the outright Big Ten regular-season title, and beat UConn in the NCAA championship game.
What Williamson brings to the Dallas Mavericks’ rebuild
May’s Mavericks are still chasing their first title since 2011, but they’re stacking young talent fast. Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg headlines a core that already includes Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. Williamson’s résumé—six straight conference titles, two tournament crowns, and a national championship—shows he can develop players and systems that thrive under pressure. With the Mavericks on a two-game winning streak and fresh off a 149-128 blowout of the Chicago Bulls on April 13, 2026, May is assembling a staff built for playoff runs.