Breaking news from McKale Center. There are current unconfirmed reports that among others in serious contention for the Arizona Basketball Head Coaching vacancy, Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo has tossed his hat in the ring.
Izzo, who has been the Head Spartan for Michigan State since 1995, has often been considered a leading candidate in many job openings. Most recently his name was mentioned in the possible replacements for Tubby Smith in
Kentucky after his departure in 2007. He quickly shot that rumor down. ESPN's lead College Basketball guru Andy Katz has cited Coach Izzo with the success of the program in East Lansing over the last decade plus.
As opposed to when his name was in contention for the Kentucky job, sources have informed me that Izzo reached out to the AD's office in Tucson. Landing Izzo in Tucson would be a the Cats best chance at avoiding too lengthy of a rebuilding process.
Others listed in the first batch of candidates Arizona is rumored to be considering are Mark Few of Gonzaga and John Calipari from Memphis. Calipari being an interesting suggestion as former Arizona Assistant Josh Pastner left Arizona for Memphis after a lengthy tenure beginning with his playing days in Tucson.
Calls to both the Arizona and Michigan State Athletic Departments were not returned.
As opposed to when his name was in contention for the Kentucky job, sources have informed me that Izzo reached out to the AD's office in Tucson. Landing Izzo in Tucson would be a the Cats best chance at avoiding too lengthy of a rebuilding process.
Others listed in the first batch of candidates Arizona is rumored to be considering are Mark Few of Gonzaga and John Calipari from Memphis. Calipari being an interesting suggestion as former Arizona Assistant Josh Pastner left Arizona for Memphis after a lengthy tenure beginning with his playing days in Tucson.
Calls to both the Arizona and Michigan State Athletic Departments were not returned.
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16 comments:
I don't believe it.
LOL!
You dope. Izzo isn't going anywhere.
Wow. Mich St may end up losing its football and basketball coach in the coming year. And with a local economic meltdown looming from the spiraling auto industry, I wouldn't blame either one of them for taking a gander at other opportunities. Winning ball games doesn't matter a whole lot when people aren't paying to support you.
Definitely tough times ahead in Michigan. Izzo woudn't be the only one leaving the state in search of greener pastures.
Uh, greener pastures? Get a clue.
http://www.bbstate.com/info/schools-hoopsbudget
What does 2007 basketball expenses have to do with Michigan's economy currently going down the crapper? If Izzo has contacted Arizona, I don't think it's the past he's worried about. Still think MSU will be able to raise that kind of dough in the future with people in the area losing jobs left and right? Good luck with that.
The folks in Tucson don't rely heavily on the failing auto industry. Get a clue indeed.
Do you honestly think that the Arizona MBB program will be spending more money than Michigan State because we're in a recession?
Izzone + Zona Zoo = Izzona Zoo?
Anyone?
Are you kidding? Tom Izzo IS Spartan basketball!! He is what defines it. He isn't going anywhere. And if he does it will be a very sad day for all of us MSU fans!!! IT'S ALL ABOUT THE IZZONE BABY!!!!!!
Until Izzo is standing on the sideline in Arizona this is just a rumor and that is how I plan on taking it.
I lived in Tucson from 1996 - 2000.
You folks are delusional. UA is not a better BB school than MSU. At least not since Izzo has been the coach.
The only way Izzo leaves MSU is if he retires or goes to the NBA. He is a god there. No way he would see UA as a step up.
Haha. Can't find any rumor about this on any other sporting cite. Nice try.
Izzo shot down Kentucky. The Arizona job is much crappier than that. Izzo's a total homer. The only way he's leaving East Lansing is as the next coach of the Detroit Pistons.
In fact, I was pissed off when Tom Crean took the Indiana job. I thought for sure he'd be the next coach of Michigan State.
money talks....
What a joke, Izzo isn't going anywhere. He's said multiple times he's happy in East Lansing, and why would he leave a Final Four team for a team that didn't even deserve to be in the tourney
There are going to be a lot of MSU fans crying in the next week or two. Never say never!!!
Ha ha! Tim Floyd.
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