Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo has never coached in the NBA. He’s been leading the Spartans since 1995, but he is not void of job offers from the professional league.
After the Phoenix Suns fired head coach Mike Budenholzer, Izzo was among the many candidates the franchise went after to fill the role. During his appearance on a podcast, Izzo confirmed the offer and shared that it was hard to turn down the owner and Michigan State graduate Mat Ishbia.
“Well, I was a lot younger, but I’ve had, you know, more than a couple of job offers in the NBA and looked at one last year with Phoenix, you know, and my former player, Matt Ishbia,” Izzo said. “And that was hard. That was a hard thing to turn down because, number one, I kind of wanted to go with him.”
Izzo seriously considered the offer, given the fact that he is not happy with all that is happening around the college sports.
“Well, we talked seriously about it, let’s say that,” Izzo added. “And then number two is, you know, I’ve been pretty vocal about it. I don’t like what’s going on in college athletics. But by the way, neither do 99.8% of the football and basketball coaches in America. And I think the kids are going to still find out before it’s done. It’s not best for them either. But in the meantime, you got to do what you got to do. And I’ll let guys like you call me old school, but that means you’re old school too.”
With the Spartans, Izzo has led the program to one national championship, eight Final Fours, and six Big Ten Tournament titles.
Tom Izzo Once Again Asked About Retirement
Like at the end of every season over the past few years, the one question that remains common is retirement. After going down against UConn in the Final Four, Tom Izzo was asked where he’ll be in five years down the line.
“Trying to win a national championship, plain and simple,” Izzo said.
Izzo also shared when he’ll feel it’s time to hang up the boots.
“The minute I don’t feel good, the minute I don’t feel like I’m giving my AD or president or school every ounce of energy I have every day or that energy drops, you don’t have to worry about it. I don’t steal money,” Izzo added. I won’t steal anybody’s time. I’m the luckiest guy in the world. I’m just not lucky enough to be playing on Sunday. I’ll get to play on another Sunday. Hang around.”
Izzo now looks forward to next season where he has already announced that his Spartans will play against Arkansas on Thanksgiving Day.
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