As Michigan begins its search for a replacement for national championship-winning head coach Dusty May, one name continues to gain traction near the top of the candidate list.

Saint Louis head coach Josh Schertz.

While replacing a coach who just delivered a national title is never easy, Schertz possesses many of the qualities Michigan should be seeking as it attempts to maintain its place among college basketball’s elite programs.

A Familiar Connection to Dusty May

One reason Schertz immediately stands out is his relationship with May.

The two coaches have developed a close friendship over the years, and their basketball philosophies share several similarities. Both have earned reputations as innovative offensive minds capable of maximizing talent and building winning cultures.

If Michigan wants to maintain much of the foundation May established, Schertz could offer one of the smoothest transitions available.

One of College Basketball’s Fastest-Rising Coaches

Schertz has quietly built one of the most impressive coaching resumes in the country.

After beginning his career as a student assistant at Florida Atlantic, he worked his way through assistant coaching stops before taking over at Lincoln Memorial in 2008.

What followed was remarkable.

Over 13 seasons, Schertz led Lincoln Memorial to 11 consecutive 20-win seasons, four 30-win campaigns, and 10 NCAA Division II Tournament appearances. He was named South Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year a record seven times and became known as one of the winningest coaches in college basketball.

His overall head coaching record currently stands at an astonishing 451-130.

Success Has Followed Him Everywhere

Schertz proved his success wasn’t limited to Division II.

After taking over at Indiana State in 2021, he transformed the Sycamores into one of the nation’s best mid-major programs. His breakthrough came during the 2023-24 season when Indiana State won 32 games and became one of the biggest stories in college basketball.

That success led Saint Louis to hire him in 2024.

In just two seasons with the Billikens, Schertz has continued to build momentum, guiding the program to an Atlantic 10 regular-season championship and a trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament this past season.

Not surprisingly, his name has surfaced in connection with several major openings, including Syracuse and NC State earlier this year.

Why Michigan Should Be Interested

Michigan does not need a rebuilding specialist.

The Wolverines need someone capable of sustaining championship expectations.

With a roster expected to remain among the nation’s most talented groups, the next coach will inherit a team that should compete immediately for a Big Ten title and a Final Four berth.

Schertz has demonstrated an ability to win at every level, develop players, build culture, and adapt quickly when taking over new programs.

Those traits make him one of the most intriguing candidates available.

The Challenge

The biggest obstacle is convincing him to leave Saint Louis.

Schertz recently signed a new contract and appears firmly entrenched with the Billikens. However, Michigan is one of the handful of jobs in college basketball capable of attracting virtually any coach in the country.

If athletic director Warde Manuel decides to pursue Schertz, there is little doubt he would be one of the strongest candidates on the board.

And given his track record, it’s easy to see why.