Following the Wolverines’ latest title, RedditCFB noted on X: “Michigan is the first D1 school ever to win multiple National Championships in Football (1948, 1997, 2023), Baseball (1953, 1962), and Men’s Basketball (1989, 2026).”

However, the post left out another major piece of Michigan’s legacy. The school’s men’s ice hockey program has won nine national championships, more than any other Wolverine team, and remains one of the most successful in college sports, even though its last title came decades ago.

Basketball and baseball remain Michigan’s toughest paths to titles

For Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball, winning just a second national championship since 1908 highlights how difficult it has been for the program to reach the top, even with multiple runner-up finishes and frequent deep tournament runs. A similar story applies to Michigan Wolverines baseball, which hasn’t captured a national title in decades.

Over the past 13 seasons, Michigan’s baseball team has made five postseason appearances and won the Big Ten Conference title twice, once in 2015, marking the program’s ninth conference championship at the time, and again in 2022 with a 10-4 win over Rutgers baseball. Since then, the team has yet to return to the postseason.

While Michigan holds the distinction of being the only school with multiple national championships across several major men’s sports, University of Southern California still leads all Division I programs in total men’s titles with 85. Meanwhile, Stanford University tops the overall list with 129 championships, combining men’s (69) and women’s (60) programs.

“First of all, I want to thank all the people that poured into everyone in our locker room. We’re not here without the love, support and coaching from everybody before us,” May told Tracy Wolfson of CBS Sports following the NCAA Division I tournament final.

While emotion played a role, execution on the court was just as critical. May emphasized Michigan‘s balance throughout the season, noting their ability to respond when one phase struggled. “These guys have done it all year. When one side of the ball was letting us down, the other side picked us up,” he said.

May matches rare John Beilein-era feat with back-to-back elite seasons

Dusty May didn’t just win a national championship, he also accomplished something not seen since the John Beilein era, putting together consecutive standout seasons with Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball.

Beilein last achieved that between the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, highlighted by consistent success at the top of the conference. May has now mirrored that impact in his first two years, winning the conference tournament title in his debut season and following it up with both a regular-season conference championship and a national title.

Beilein left a lasting legacy at Michigan, and May has acknowledged that their connection continues to play a role behind the scenes. The former Wolverines head coach spent 12 years leading the program and reached two national championship games.

“We talk regularly. He’s always conscious about it—he knows when my off days are, he knows when to call. He’s sat in this seat, so he knows how many directions you’re being pulled,” May told On3. “I enjoy it every single time. He sends me texts, we talk, he sends great nuggets—just reminders of what to be looking out for.”

According to USA Today, May’s bonuses in the NCAA Tournament were as follows: $50,000 for appearing in the first round, $75,000 for reaching the second stage, $100,000 for making it to the Sweet Sixteen, $150,000 for their Elite Eight appearance, $200,000 for playing in the Final Four, $300,000 for qualifying to the national title game, and $400,000 for winning it all.

With the national title conquest, May bolstered his case to win the the National Coach of the Year award. Such an accomplishment would secure an extra $50,000 for May. Had Michigan lost against UConn, May would have taken home a $300,000 paycheck, missing out on the extra $100,000. It wasn’t like he would’ve had to pinch pennies, but his team’s triumph still secured him even more money.

Hurley misses out on a fortune

As for Hurley, had UConn defeated Michigan at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, he would’ve walked away with a whopping $1.275 million bonus. Even with the national title loss, Hurley is earning more in bonuses than May is for his historic conquest with the program in Ann Arbor.

Hurley has earned $775,000 thanks to the NCAA Tournament bonuses in his contract. Cutting down the nets of March Madness is priceless, but Hurley already knows how that feels, and securing $775,000 definitely makes the pain easier to withstand.

Hurley’s bonuses breakdown

Hurley’s contract bonuses are as follows: $25,000 for an NCAA Tournament appearance, $50,000 for UConn’s win in the first round, $75,000 for making it out of the second round, $125,000 for the Sweet Sixteen triumph. The win over Duke in the Elite Eight meant an extra $200,000 for Hurley, whereas the Final Four victory added $300,000 to the total.

A national championship would’ve handed Hurley the final $500,000. Most importantly, it would’ve earned him a seat in the debate for the greatest college basketball head coach of all time. However, May and Michigan prevented that with a staple performance. Now, the Wolverines are national champions for the first time since 1989.

Michigan has finished as runner-up six times. After winning it all in 1989, the program returned to the national title game four more times but fell short against powerhouse programs like Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball, North Carolina Tar Heels, Louisville, and Villanova Wildcats.

Despite those setbacks, Michigan has remained a consistently competitive program. Over the past decade, the Wolverines have reached the postseason five times and came close again in the 2025-26 season, making another run to the national championship game.

How many national titles does Dusty May have?

Dusty May has yet to win a national championship, either with Michigan or any other program. However, he has made an immediate impact since arriving for the 2024-25 season, leading the Wolverines to the Sweet Sixteen in his first year and previously winning a Conference USA tournament title with another program.

May has posted two strong seasons at Michigan. In his first year, the team went 27-10, followed by an impressive 36-3 campaign. The Wolverines hadn’t reached the 30-win mark since the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons under John Beilein. Since 1908, Michigan has recorded 30 or more wins in just six seasons.

Beyond national championships, Michigan has also found success in the Big Ten Conference. The program owns four conference tournament titles, most recently in 2025 under May, along with 16 regular-season championships, including the 2026 title after a nearly five-year drought.

“They have championship DNA. What they’ve done over the last four years is as impressive as anything we’ve seen in recent memory. And we’ve got our hands full Monday, but these guys will be up for the challenge,” he said on the TBS broadcast.

It was no easy task at all to reach this stage. The Wolverines defeated the Arizona Wildcats 91–73 in the Final Four, in May’s second season at the helm of the team. Will Michigan be able to achieve its ultimate goal on Monday night?

Led by Aday Mara

Aday Mara led the charge in Michigan’s rout of Arizona, dominating the paint with a career-high 26 points and 9 rebounds. Despite shooting struggles, Elliot Cadeau orchestrated the offense masterfully, dishing out 10 assists to propel the Wolverines into the National Championship game.

The Wolverines are aiming for their second title

Thirty-seven years after their historic 1989 triumph, where they defeated the Seton Hall Pirates 80-79 in a thrilling overtime finish, the Michigan Wolverines will seek for their second official title. The team looks to break a nearly four-decade drought and finally return to the top of the college basketball world.

When and where is the March Madness final?

The 2026 March Madness National Championship game is scheduled for Monday, April 6, at 8:50 PM ET. The high-stakes matchup will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, featuring Dusty May’s team against the UConn Huskies.

This marks the ninth time Indianapolis has hosted the Final Four, with the city serving as the culminating site for this year’s tournament drama.

As the No. 1 seed, Michigan enters with heavy expectations, but Alabama’s explosive offense adds a dangerous layer to the matchup. Crimson Tide has looked dominant so far, including a convincing win in the Round of 32.

With both teams peaking at the right time, this game becomes more than just another step in the bracket. It’s a defining moment—one where Michigan can continue its title push or Alabama can disrupt the path.

What happens if Michigan beat Alabama today?

If Michigan beats Alabama today, they will advance to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The win would keep their title run alive and move them one step closer to the Final Four, reinforcing their status as one of the top contenders.

Dusty May’s team enters this matchup as a No. 1 seed and one of the most complete teams in the tournament, coming off a dominant 95-72 win over Saint Louis in the previous round.

That performance highlighted their offensive depth and efficiency, with multiple players contributing at a high level. Advancing to the Elite Eight would set up a regional final against another top opponent.

What happens if Michigan and Alabama tie?

Michigan vs. Alabama cannot end in a tie in March Madness. If the game is level at the end of regulation, teams will play five-minute overtime periods until a winner is determined.

This format ensures that every game—especially in elimination rounds like the Sweet 16—has a definitive outcome. There is no limit to the number of overtimes, meaning games can extend as long as needed.

What happens if Michigan lose to Alabama today?

If Michigan loses to Alabama today, they will be eliminated from the 2026 NCAA Tournament. A defeat would end their March Madness run in the Sweet 16, while Alabama would advance to the Elite Eight.

The only other school joining Michigan in this mascot-free category during the 2026 Sweet 16 is Illinois, which has operated without an official mascot for nearly two decades. Following the 2007 retirement of “Chief Illiniwek” due to NCAA sanctions against Native American imagery, the university has refrained from adopting a new character despite several student-led proposals.

Consequently, as the rest of the tournament field celebrates with furry icons and sideline performers, these two Big Ten rivals will rely solely on their iconic logos and team spirit. This unique status highlights a shared commitment distinguishing them from the 14 other programs during March Madness.

The search for a new mascot at Illinois

Since retiring Chief Illiniwek, the “Fighting Illini” name persists as a source of pride, the university has struggled to find a physical replacement that satisfies both a modern push for inclusivity and a nostalgic fan base that are asking for a new mascot.

In recent years, the Belted Kingfisher has emerged as the leading student-backed candidate, even winning a supermajority in a February 2025 student referendum. Proponents argue the bird’s natural orange and blue plumage makes it a perfect fit, yet the administration has been slow to grant it official status to avoid further alienating traditionalists.

Unlike Illinois, which is in a state of transition, Michigan has a long history of actively rejecting mascot proposals to maintain what administrators call “athletic dignity.” While fans occasionally don unofficial costumes, the University of Michigan Athletic Department has consistently refused to sanction a costumed character.

As the important evaluation process for players, the Combine, gets underway, one of the top-projected running backs made a striking revelation to the media, stating that he came very close to joining the Michigan Wolverines.

“I was committed to Notre Dame, and it came to signing day. I was literally this close to going to Michigan,” Love said Friday on The Rich Eisen Show. “But I was like, ‘I’m committed to Notre Dame. I’m just going to stick with them. Even though I kind of want to go to Michigan. I kind of want to go there. I’m just going to stick it out with Notre Dame. I’m going to stick with my first choice.’”

Luckily for Marcus Freeman and the Irish, one of the most impactful running backs in recent NCAAF seasons ended up at Notre Dame, delivering standout performances that have caught the attention of numerous NFL teams.

The reason behind his final decision

While Love took his time and waited until the very last moment to decide his college football destination, there was a specific reason he ultimately chose not to join the Michigan Wolverines.

“I ain’t talk to nobody,” he said. “But my homeboy, Fredrick Moore, he went to Michigan. I was kind of like gonna go with him. And I remember it very vividly. I’m telling him, ‘I’m trying to go to Michigan.

“I’m trying to connect with y’all’s coaches. But nobody’s hitting me up. I don’t have any connection with anybody. That’s probably why I didn’t go. Nobody contacted me.”

Love’s potential Draft selection

While Love’s NFL future remains uncertain, speculation is already swirling about where he could be selected in the draft. Rumors suggest he is widely projected as a top-10 to top-15 pick.

Despite these projections, and considering potential destinations for the running back, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him land with the Chiefs (holding the No. 9 pick), as well as the Titans (No. 4) or the Commanders (No. 7).

An undefeated run is never just about wins. It reflects dominance, resilience and timing, often shaped by defining moments that separate great teams from those remembered only for what went wrong along the way.

While championships often steal the spotlight, perfect regular seasons tell a quieter story of control and endurance. Those rare campaigns continue to stand as benchmarks in a sport built on chaos and tradition.

Which NCAAF teams had undefeated regular seasons?

Going unbeaten in the regular season is one of college football’s rarest achievements. With 136 teams competing in the FBS each year, the stars must align for a perfect slate of wins. Historically, schools like Michigan, Georgia and Alabama have reached these heights, often en route to national titles.

Some of the most storied perfect seasons belong to programs with rich traditions. Michigan’s 15-0 run in 2023 stands among the most recent examples of a team navigating a full slate without a loss, a feat first recognized in polls dating back to 1936. Over the decades, programs such as Nebraska, Notre Dame and Ohio State have also posted undefeated records.

Beyond perennial powerhouses, there are memorable outliers in NCAAF history. The 1998 Tulane Green Wave went 12-0, one of the few non-Power Five teams to post a perfect season, while Boise State’s 13-0 regular season in 2009 reflected a dominant era for the Broncos in the WAC. Each of these campaigns underscores the difficulty and prestige of finishing the regular season without a single loss.

The 2025 NCAA season has come to an early end for Manning and the Longhorns, but that only means they now have more time to gear up for the 2026 campaign. On that note, Steve Sarkisian is sending a message to the rest of college football with a second-to-none offensive unit.

However, Texas must give to get. After adding Coleman—the No. 1 WR in the portal—the Longhorns learned another talent in the wide receiver room has decided to continue his college football journey elsewhere, more specifically in Ann Arbor.

As reported by On3, Texas true freshman Jaime Ffrench has now committed to the Michigan Wolverines. The 6’1” wideout was a four-star prospect coming out of Mandarin High School in Jacksonville, Florida. However, he redshirted his first season in Texas, appearing in just four games for the Longhorns. As he joins the Wolverines, he will have all four years of eligibility remaining.

No sweet home Alabama

It’s safe to say Texas has developed a taste for raining on Alabama’s parade. Though landing Coleman from Auburn was never going to be easy, the Tide and Horns were considered the two favorites to secure the sophomore wideout. In the end, the former Tigers star made his exit from The Plains easier by heading to Austin rather than Tuscaloosa.

As if snagging Coleman away from the Crimson Tide weren’t enough, the Horns got another victory over Alabama when North Carolina State transfer Hollywood Smothers (RB) flipped his commitment from Bama to Texas.

Championship or bust for Texas

Now, Texas boasts an offense with enough firepower to command respect from NFL defenses—let alone NCAA units. The Longhorns are only a few tweaks away on the offensive line from putting together a no-excuses unit for Manning to lead.

Texas is all in. It’s truly now or never for Sarkisian and company—because who knows when such a stacked team will next take the field at Darrell K. Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium?

On Saturday, Reid and the Chiefs found out they’re officially losing their first assistant coach for the 2026 campaign with assistant defensive line coach Alex Whittingham leaving for a job in college football.

The University of Michigan announced its defensive coaching staff hirings for 2026, with Alex becoming the Wolverines’ new linebackers coach in a staff led by his father, Kyle, who’s entering his first year as head coach of the program.

Alex has been part of Reid’s coaching staff in Kansas City since 2018, serving on different roles and working with practically every defensive unit during his long tenure with the Chiefs.

Whittingham spent his first year in Kansas City working with the outside linebackers before transitioning to the defensive line room in 2019. The next four seasons he coached the linebackers group, and in 2024, he worked with the secondary.

Alex Whittingham’s tenure with Reid on the Chiefs

Starting his NFL coaching career with the Chiefs as a defensive assistant, working mostly with the outside linebackers after playing the position for Utah in college, Whittingham changed to defensive quality-control coach in 2019, staying close to the defensive line room. From 2020 to 2023, he worked with a linebackers group that saw the likes of Nick Bolton and Leo Chenal rise to stardom.

He switched to the secondary by returning to the defensive assistant position in 2024, but 2025 saw him get promoted to assistant defensive line coach, a vacancy left by Terry Bradden Jr’s move to the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Whittingham was part of the five Super Bowl trips the Chiefs made under Reid, celebrating three rings in Kansas City. The Chiefs were top-10 in points against in six of his eight years with the team, including top-six finishes in each of the last three seasons. In addition, Kansas City was top-12 in yards allowed per game in each of the last four seasons with Whittingham on staff.

Whittingham joining his father at Michigan may be just the first of many coaching changes in Kansas City this offseason. While Reid revealed his intention to coach the Chiefs in 2026, others might be looking elsewhere.

Reid could lose more Chiefs coaches in 2026

With Whittingham gone, the Chiefs are at risk of losing at least one more coach in 2026 with key Reid assistants set for interviews. Running out of contract, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is expected to audition for multiple head coaching openings in the NFL. The Tennessee Titans have emerged as the first suitor, given Nagy’s connection with former Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi, now GM for the Titans. But even if he doesn’t land a HC job, Nagy could still leave for an OC opening elsewhere if given the play-calling responsibilities.

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, also sought by the Titans, tends to be a coveted name in every offseason, and after running the unit for the Chiefs since 2019, perhaps he entertains the possibility of starting a new chapter in 2025.

After failing to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2014 and finishing 2025 with a losing record, the Chiefs might show up in 2026 with not only a different roster, but also a different coaching staff around Reid, who left a bold message for Nagy and Spagnuolo to hear as he’s confident about next year.