Big Ten How Did The First-Year B1G MBB Coaches Do In 2024-25?

There is always some sort of movement on the coaching carousel, and last season was no different for Big Ten men’s basketball. Michigan, USC, and Washington all had new coaches last season, so how did they do?

Dustin May – Michigan

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Former head coach Juwan Howard was hired to a five-year contract in 2019, and the early part of his coaching career at Michigan went well. The Wolverines reached the Elite Eight in the 2021 NCAA tourney, but then their play slipped after that. In the 23-24 season, Michigan lost a program record 24 games and the Wolverines did not renew Howard’s contract.

Michigan hired Dustin May from Florida Atlantic, where he had come off back-to-back NCAA appearances with the Owls, including reaching the Final Four in the 2023 tournament.

Dusty May appears to be the fix that Michigan needed. In his inaugural season last year, Michigan finished 27-10 (14-6 Big-10/T-2nd place) and reached the Sweet Sixteen.

Eric Musselman – USC

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After 11 seasons with the Trojans, former USC coach Andy Enfield sought different pastures and hired on with SMU, who was then a newcomer to the ACC. USC hired Eric Musselman from Arkansas, where Musselman had led the Razorbacks to three NCAA appearances before they fell off in 23-24 and did not make the tournament.

Enfield ended his last season with a 15-18 (8-12, Big-10/8th place). In Musselman’s first season, the Trojans finished 17-18 (7-13 Big-10/12th place). They did not make it to the postseason, unless you consider the CBC postseason play. The jury is still out on Musselman, but it is only his first season.

Danny Sprinkle – Washington

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Former head coach Mike Hopkins’ first two seasons with the Huskies finished well enough, but after Hopkins dragged UW through endless mediocrity for the next five seasons, Washington did not renew his contract. Hopkins’ last three seasons held records of 17-15, 16-16, and 17-15.

UW hired Danny Sprinkle from Utah State. Sprinkle had taken the Aggies to the NCAA second round in 23-24, and Montana State to the first round in the two seasons before that. Sprinkle – and Washington – are still facing challenges, as they went 13-18 (4-16 Big-10/18th place) last season. They’ll have to find a way to climb out of a B1G cellar.