The Michigan State Spartans have been a yearly contender in college basketball for years under legendary head coach Tom Izzo.
Once again this season, the Spartans were a legitimate threat entering the NCAA Tournament. They earned a No. 3 seed and started off March Madness with back-to-back wins against North Dakota State and Louisville. Izzo led his program to a Sweet Sixteen matchup against Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies.
Unfortunately, that is where the season came to an end for Michigan State. Izzo’s team ended up losing to UConn by a final score of 67-63.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Spartans remain one of the top programs in college basketball. That will almost certainly remain the case as long as Izzo is the head coach.
With that being said, Izzo has spoken out with a surprising revelation about his coaching career and the NBA.
Michigan State’s Tom Izzo Makes Surprising NBA Admission
As noted by NBA insider Marc Stein, Izzo shared that he was offered the head coaching job of the Phoenix Suns last spring. He opted to decline that offer.
“Monty Williams, Frank Vogel and Budenholzer were Phoenix’s coaches during Ishbia’s first three seasons as a former Spartans walk-on guard-turned-Suns owner,” Stein wrote. “This wild week began with Izzo, 71, appearing on The Dan Patrick Show and confirming the story: The Suns’ job could have been his last spring.”
Stein continued on with his report with a few more details.
“Izzo ultimately decided to stay in the college game, leading Ishbia to select another Michigan State alumnus — Jordan Ott — as his fourth coach in four seasons. Yet it all appears to have worked out for the Suns, who have clinched a winning record in Year 1 under Ott to establish the 41-year-old as a wholly unexpected Coach of the Year candidate.”
Izzo is one of the most respected head coaches in basketball. It is not surprising to hear that NBA teams have come calling with offers, but his loyalty to Michigan State remains clear.
Tom Izzo Has Had Long-Term Success With the Spartans
Since taking over the head coaching job at Michigan State back in the 1995-96 season, Izzo has led the program to an impressive 764-309 overall record. That is good for a 71.2 winning percentage.
Along with his overall success, Izzo has led the Spartans to six Final Four appearances and was the national runner-up in the 2008-09 season.
At 71 years old, there is no telling how much longer Izzo will continue coaching. If this report is any indication, he seems to be planning to remain at Michigan State for the rest of his career.
Regardless of what the future holds, Izzo’s name will go down in history. He will never be forgotten by the world of college basketball and his loyalty to the Spartans could lead to a complete career with just one program.
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