​Dusty May has wasted little time in shaping his coaching staff. The Detroit Free Press reported on Thursday that Drew Williamson and Mody Maor, two assistants from May’s national championship staff at Michigan, are joining the Mavericks. The move signals a growing Detroit-to-Dallas pipeline as May continues to assemble a team that blends college ties with NBA experience.
Williamson, who served two seasons at Michigan as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator before the Wolverines captured the national title in April, transitioned to Dallas with little fanfare. A video circulating before Dallas tipped off their first Summer League game against Golden State showed Williamson in Mavericks gear, passing to Morez Johnson Jr. during warm-ups. He was still listed on Michigan’s staff directory Thursday morning, but by the afternoon he appeared on the Mavericks’ bench. The timeline suggests a rapid shift from Michigan to Dallas, underscoring May’s willingness to pull trusted lieutenants from successful college programs to help implement his system in the NBA.
Maor brings a diverse background to Dallas. The 40-year-old has head coaching experience in Japan’s B. League with the Nagasaki Velca and in Australia’s National Basketball League with the New Zealand Breakers. He joined Michigan in May, stepping in to replace Justin Joyner, who left for Oregon State after the national championship run. Maor spent less than two months in Ann Arbor before following May to Dallas, underscoring the coach’s strategy of assembling a staff that can translate winning habits across different levels of the game.
May’s staff additions reflect a deliberate mix of college connections and NBA know-how. Former New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green was brought on as the lead assistant, bringing extensive experience as an NBA head coach. Veteran assistant Joe Boylan joined after prior stops with the Warriors, Pelicans, Timberwolves, and Grizzlies. Garrett Temple retired from playing on July 4 and has since accepted a coaching role, adding another veteran perspective after a 16-year NBA career. Phil Handy, widely regarded as one of the league’s premier player-development coaches, is expected to remain on staff, working alongside assistant Josh Broghamer. This blend of personnel positions Dallas to benefit from both studied schemes and real-world NBA experience, all oriented toward growth, development, and a smoother transition for players as training camp approaches.
The Mavericks’ coaching slate now includes two hires who already know May’s system, which can help accelerate player acclimation and system adoption. With camp still months away, Dallas is curating a staff built on familiarity, plus a track record of development and success at both the college and professional levels. May’s approach appears to prioritize stability and continuity, seeking to empower players through a consistent voice and a coaching staff that can deliver a coherent message across different leagues and formats.
In other roster-related moves, Tarik Biberovic’s official signing with the Mavericks has drawn attention to a potential solution for Dallas’s perimeter scoring woes. The EuroLeague standout adds elite shooting to the rotation, potentially addressing a team need that has persisted beyond the previous season. At 25 years old, Biberovic brings international experience and a different skill set that could help spread the floor for star playmakers like Luka Dončić, while also providing versatility on the wing. His decision to join Dallas over Memphis signals a push to diversify the Mavericks’ lineup with a sharpshooter who can contribute immediately.
Overall, Dallas’s coaching staff is taking shape around a philosophy of familiarity, experience, and player development. May’s leadership has attracted coaches who know how to implement his principles across different contexts, from college to the NBA. As training camp approaches, the Mavericks appear poised to lean on these relationships to accelerate growth, improve chemistry, and build a cohesive unit capable of competing at a high level in the demanding NBA season ahead.