With the Miami Heat going through a slow start ahead of Monday's game against the Dallas Mavericks, there is no denying that head coach Erik Spoelstra is working diligently to get the team on track. As Spoelstra looks to right the Heat's ship, Mavericks head coach Dusty May would speak about the impact that Spoelstra has had in his career.

Monday is far from the first interaction between Spoelstra and May, as it started when the latter was the head coach for the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Owls, as his tenure was from 2018 to 2024. It has been common for Miami to conduct training camp at FAU, which they've done several times when May was down in Boca Raton, Florida.

Miami Heat HC Erik Spoelstra and #FAU HC Dusty May chatting it up. #HeatCulture pic.twitter.com/vrzUd8lVSO

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) October 3, 2023

Dusty May speaks on Heat's Erik Spoelstra and his influence

Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May reacts during the first quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at American Airlines Center.
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Fast forward to the present, as May led the Owls to two straight March Madness appearances, the first in 2022 being their Final Four run, which led to his time with the Michigan Wolverines, where the program won the national title in 2026. Now making the jump to the NBA with Dallas, May would say to ClutchPoints that he's taken a lot from Spoelstra.

“I would list it, but we have a game at 7:30,” May said when asked what he took away from Spoelstra. “I watch games religiously; I came down; I probably watched 50 practices or workouts in the off season. Spent a couple of training camps with them. So a lot of what we do has been things that we've stolen from them, and from studying and watching them, and finding creative ideas, and so we're well aware of how great their staff is.”

Asked Dusty May about the time the #Heat would conduct training camp at #FAU and what he learned from Erik Spoelstra during their talks:

“I would list it, but we have a game at 730. I watch games religiously. I came down. I probably watched 50 practices or workouts in the off… pic.twitter.com/0XJegLbvTk

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) October 26, 2026

One player that May has immense familiarity with that's on Miami is Vladislav Goldin, who is on a two-way contract with the team, as he coached the big man with FAU and Michigan.

“It's been awesome just to follow Vlad's career,” May said to ClutchPoints. “I watched one of the preseason games, and he played very well in that game. Obviously, you don't have time to watch as much now because you're prepared for your own stuff. But a lot of us got together at his wedding this summer. Just incredibly happy for him to be in this organization, to be developing as he is, and just waiting on his opportunity. Number 82 games, like a lot of these young guys, you just got to be ready when your number's called.”

Asked Dusty May about Vladislav Goldin now being with the #Heat after coaching him at #FAU, Michigan, as he’s now trying to carve out a role with Miami:

“It's been awesome just to follow Vlad's career…a lot of us got together at his wedding this summer. Just incredibly happy… pic.twitter.com/Kt7robNJi2

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) October 26, 2026

Heat's Erik Spoelstra on Dusty May heading to the NBA

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There's no denying that many were shocked when the Mavericks parted ways with Jason Kidd, only to hire May after winning a national championship with the Wolverines. Spoelstra expressed how May's progression has happened quickly, saying his style fits the professional level.

“When he was at FAU, we got to know him and were fans from afar,” Spoelstra said. “And then got to know him ironically better and more often. I was able to see him when he went to Michigan because of Jack and son being in our video room, and he would fly down, you know, three or four times a year and stop by the gym and everything. He's a heck of a coach. There's no doubt about it. He could have success like he had and stay in college, but the way he coaches, I think, is also built for the NBA. That's really a credit to his communication skills, and he's relentless as a learner.”

At any rate, Spoelstra and May look to cross paths multiple times this season, as aside from Monday, the Heat and Mavericks meet up on Dec. 29 in Dallas.