tom izzo Is Michigan State Spartans, but did he almost leave East Lansing for the NBA last year?
“I’ve had more than a few job offers in the NBA, and I saw an offer last year with the Phoenix (Suns),” Izzo revealed in Wednesday’s appearance.dan patrick show” “My former player, (Suns owner) Matt Ishbia, it was a hard thing to turn down because, No. 1, I wanted to go with him… We talked about it seriously, let’s say that. And then, No. 2, I’ve been quite vocal about this: I don’t like what’s going on in college athletics. But, by the way, 99.8% of football and basketball coaches in America don’t do that either.
“I think the kids will figure out before they’re done that it’s not good for them either. But, in the meantime, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”
UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley revealed last week “dan patrick showHe consulted with Izzo in 2024 when Hurley discussed his head-coaching vacancy with the Los Angeles Lakers, which Hurley ultimately turned down. Izzo said in the above interview that he told Hurley he “doesn’t want to lose him to college basketball” because he is “too good” for the game, but he also said he needs to keep an eye on “what’s going on” in “his” profession. Will have to be kept.
Of course, Izzo’s Spartans lost to the Hurley Huskies in the Sweet 16 round of the 2026 NCAA men’s tournament last week. This ended the 2025–26 season, in which Michigan State went 27–8 overall and 15–5 in Big Ten play, good for fourth place in the conference.
(More Hurley: UConn men’s basketball hopes for championship transfer magic once again)
As for what’s next for the 71-year-old Izzo, the Michigan State coach expressed that he has no plans to retire in the near future, saying his focus is on “trying to win a national championship.” Regarding his connection to the Suns, Ishbia played for Izzo at Michigan State for three seasons (1999–2000 season to 2001–02 season), including on the Spartans’ 1999–2000 national title team.
The Suns hired former Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Jordan Ott as their head coach last summer, marking the franchise’s third coaching appointment (Frank Vogel, Mike Budenholzer and Ott) in as many years. This season, Phoenix is ​​42-34, good for the seventh seed in the Western Conference.
