Izzo staying at MSU 'for life'
MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo smiles as sophomore guard Korie Lucious hugs him and as other players say goodbye during a press conference Tuesday night at the Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center, where Izzo announced he will stay at MSU instead of taking an informal offer with the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers.
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On Tuesday night, nine days after MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo first was rumored to be the leading candidate for the coaching vacancy of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Izzo announced he will remain the Spartans’ leading man at a press conference in the Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center Auditorium.
Immediately after Izzo approached the podium, his players came to the front and each hugged Izzo before he could speak to crowd.
Izzo said his decision to stay will be the last of its kind for him, as he plans on being a “lifer” and staying at MSU for the rest of his career.
“I decided that this decision would put me here for life or not,” Izzo said. “I knew at the beginning, whatever decision I made, it was a decision for life.”
The 15-year head coach said he wants to do what other coaches who have spent their entire coaching lives at one school have done — build his program into a national power.
Gallery: Izzo remains head ...
“My goal has always been to put Michigan State University in an elite spot,” Izzo said. “And I think three national championships for a school puts it in a top-10 list. That’s getting pretty elite.”
After more than a week of contemplating and examining his options on the way to a decision, Izzo said it was the closest he’s come to leaving MSU. While he never had an official offer, he said he knew the parameters of a lengthy and lucrative contract.
He also knew he had the opportunity to possibly coach one of the best players in the world, LeBron James, and said the job was something he felt he needed to consider seriously.
Izzo also said Dan Gilbert, Cavaliers owner and an MSU alumnus, was another one of the main reasons he took interest in the Cleveland job.
With so many different items to address, MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon said she and other school officials had no problem with giving Izzo all the time he needed to examine something so important to him and his family.
“We felt very strongly that Tom Izzo earned and deserved the opportunity to evaluate this opportunity as thoroughly as he chose to do,” Simon said. “We never interpreted that as a reflection on Michigan State University.”
MSU Athletics Director Mark Hollis agreed with Simon, and said he never doubted Izzo’s passion for everything Green and White.
“Tom Izzo loves Michigan State, there’s no question about that,” Hollis said. “This past week, he faced a personal opportunity — one that he did not seek out. He owed it to himself and his family to understand, evaluate, reflect and draw a conclusion. It’s a decision that will be of their family’s life forever. We owed him that opportunity to allow that process to happen.”
Izzo expressed his appreciation for Hollis and Simon, which he referred to as his “administrative family” at MSU, and their patience as he took the time to look at every detail and make sure he was making the right choice.
“I didn’t get one negative word said to me,” Izzo said. “I didn’t get one time when they said ‘Can you speed up the process, can you do this?’”
While Izzo was in talks with Cleveland, he said he did not hide anything from the administration and that Hollis was part of every phone call he had with the Cavaliers.
In the end, Izzo said talks with friends, family and former players convinced him he belongs at MSU. And although he said he did have dreams of coaching at the NBA level, he also said he will not regret the choice to remain on the Spartans’ sideline.
“I could have gone to the NBA. That’s not the same thing as going,” Izzo said. “Thank God I work for some people that gave me the opportunity to look and when I looked, I decided what my dad said to me when I was five, six years old. ‘The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.’ And the grass is pretty green here.”
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WOOO!!
(06/15/10 10:09pm)Report
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Mimi
(06/15/10 10:36pm)Report
What a beautiful smile.
spartan4life
(06/15/10 10:55pm)Report
Man, I haven’t been able to sleep for days since the news about Izzo leaving broke.
I am so glad he decided to stay. Now I can sleep
We love you, coach.
Carlos Castillo
(06/15/10 11:07pm)Report
Thank you IZZO that shows the country what MSU is about. I have never been prouder to be an alumni as tonight. I have seen you coach in the regionals in Austin (beating Kentucky and Duke) and in San Antonio. You are the best college coach..Hands Down
Todd
(06/15/10 11:50pm)Report
As an MSU alumnus who worked for Dan Gilbert for awhile after graduating, I have never been more proud of Michigan State basketball, Michigan State University and Tom Izzo. I have a lot of respect for how the situation was handled by everybody involved, including Dan Gilbert and the Cavs. I will never forget the press conference tonight and the inspiration, emotion and excitement it instilled in all who watched. The implications of coach Izzo’s decision will be felt by the university and the state of Michigan for many years to come. We need more good news and positive events perpetuated throughout the state of Michigan.
On the 8th day God said Go Green
(06/16/10 12:12am)Report
It’s my belief that God sent Izzo a sign today: that burning statue of Christ in ohio was meant to show that even the Lord Himself wants no part of that good for nothin state down south :p
Glad you stayed Coach!
Lena
(06/16/10 12:29am)Report
“Tom Izzo loves Michigan State, there’s no question about that,” Izzo said.
-State News, I think that’s supposed to say “Hollis” instead of Izzo.
Otherwise, great article. We are truly fortunate to have such a great man at the helm of the MSU basketball program.
Quentin
(06/16/10 12:51am)Report
Does anyone know where to find a full video of the press conference, with Hollis’ intro and the Q&A after?
Chemist
(06/16/10 1:14am)Report
Izzo, one of the greatest coach in NCAA and surely the best coach in MSU. He is larger than life.
pat
(06/16/10 3:55am)Report
We love you coach! I will never forget this day!
good choice
(06/16/10 4:27am)Report
Glad you are staying coach.
LOVE YOU IZZO
(06/16/10 5:56am)Report
Izzo…how could your FANS not love you?!! Thanks for staying, now we can all smile (your famous smile, so handsome:)
Dave Kelley
(06/16/10 6:20am)Report
As a MSU alumnus living in Tennessee, its good to know i’ll have more opportunities to display my MSU flag with pride. The other upside to Izzo’s week long drama…keeping MSU’s name in the headlines…great for recruiting. He may have known he was staying several days ago! Always thinking ahead!
Jason B
(06/16/10 6:26am)Report
Great press conference. Izzo is so honest and open, how can you not love the guy?! Also a great show of support with the players going up there. That’s what MSU is all about. I am so glad Izzo is staying!!!
In Other Words
(06/16/10 7:32am)Report
LeBron declined to comment on his returning, and Izzo didn’t want to get fired after a 45 win season without him.
I like Izzo as much as the next guy, but don’t partake so quickly of the Spartan Kool-Aid. If Izzo really had the endless MSU love people speak of, he would have refused Cleveland outright, instead of mulling it over for a week.
I’ve always admired the man, and I would have wished him well whatever he did, but lets be realistic.
'67 Alum
(06/16/10 7:47am)Report
From the press conference: “This week, whether anybody likes it or not, I was afforded the opportunity to maybe coach LeBron James. You know what, if somebody thinks I can do that – there are a lot of recruits out there that are the next LeBron James, and I’m going to be looking for them. I’m gonna coach them in the NCAA. I’m gonna try to do the best job I can to help make them have the opportunity to live their dream like I have had the opportunity to here.”
Great quote!
'67 Alum
(06/16/10 7:50am)Report
When the team came up on stage with Tom, did anyone see Chris Allen? I didn’t. What’s going on with him?
Kate
(06/16/10 8:52am)Report
Best news ever. :D
Kate
(06/16/10 8:52am)Report
Best news ever. :D
Gayle Sullivan
(06/16/10 9:20am)Report
I did not attend MSU but I did attend Northern Michigan University when Tommy Izzo played basketball there in the late 70’s. He has always been a nice guy with a great basketball mind. Right now I am as happy as my son, daughter-in-law, husband and niece who are all State grads. Thanks for the good times, Coach, and may you continue to have happiness and success!
Spartan in Ohio
(06/16/10 9:34am)Report
*The best news EVER!”
Could've had Brad Stevens as next MSU Basketball Coach
(06/16/10 10:11am)Report
Stevens is known for a calm, focused coaching style. He spends a lot of time analyzing opponents using statistical analysis, adding new wrinkles to his team’s play each game. He puts a strong emphasis on defensive and team oriented basketball. Butler’s success against teams with superior athletes has been attributed to Stevens’ coaching style and calm demeanor. Stevens has twice been named the Horizon League Coach of the Year and won collegeinsider.com’s Hugh Durham Award mid-season honors in January 2009. He has also been both a Hugh Durham Award and Jim Phelan Award finalist all three years of his career. He has been called a coaching prodigy and compared to John Wooden.
msu
(06/16/10 11:17am)Report
who cares about Brad Stevens. We have Izzo
Frank
(06/16/10 12:24pm)Report
Tom Izzo’s commitment to remain at Michigan State should be considered one of the finest moments of his career. His reasons for staying speak volumes about this man and his priorities. He is in a very elite class, not only as a coach, but as a person. God bless you and your family, Coach Izzo!
Parks
(06/16/10 2:16pm)Report
IZ
ZO
We Love you IZZO.