Tom Izzo rejects Cavaliers, stays at Michigan State
EAST LANSING — Tom Izzo is staying at Michigan State, turning down a chance to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers and perhaps LeBron James.
"I'm pleased to say I am here for life at Michigan State," Izzo said in a statement released by the school on Tuesday night.
For the past nine days, Izzo has been trying to decide whether to leave the place that has been his home since 1983 and jump to the NBA to perhaps make $6 million — doubling his salary — and possibly coaching one of the best basketball players in the world.
"Just as I decided to stay home, I hope a 6-8, 270-pound forward in Cleveland decides to stay home," Izzo said in a statement.
James' uncertain future will make for a difficult decision for any prospective Cavs coach. The 25-year-old superstar is unlikely to tip his hand publicly before free agency begins July 1.
"It's been an agonizing week as I tried to make a decision about a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Izzo said in a statement. "I apologize for the time the process has taken, but sometimes there are opportunities that come about that must be thoroughly examined."
The Spartans have scheduled an 8:30 p.m. ET press conference with Izzo, school president Lou Anna Simon and athletic director Mark Hollis.
This past season, Izzo led the Spartans to the Final Four for the sixth time in 12 years. Only the late John Wooden at UCLA and Duke's Mike Krzyzewski also have done that.
"It's a great day, knowing he's coming back," said Mateen Cleaves, perhaps Izzo's favorite player and one of the stars from his 2000 national championship team. "It put the biggest smile on my face to know he's coming back."
Milwaukee Bucks guard Charlie Bell, who played on the 2000 national championship team, was also glad to hear Izzo's staying: "Izzo is Michigan State basketball."
Izzo's snub has further tangled a tricky summer for the Cavaliers, who are weeks away from knowing if James will be back with them.
Since losing to Boston in the second round of the playoffs, owner Dan Gilbert fired Mike Brown, the most successful coach in team history; general manager Danny Ferry left after deciding not to renew his contract following five banner years; and now Izzo, a friend of Gilbert's, doesn't want to be in the Cavs' future.
James' decision hangs over all of it. Without knowing if he'll return, the Cavs' pursuit of a coach has been nearly impossible. They can't promise candidates that No. 23 — soon to be No. 6 — will be around to make another run at a title.
The Cavs were adamant that James would not be consulted during their coaching search. Even if a coach had talked to the two-time MVP, he wasn't going to reveal his plans before hitting the free-agent market with an All-Star class that includes fellow Olympians Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Cleveland's next option appears to be Byron Scott, who spent an hour on the phone last week with Cavs GM Chris Grant and assistant Lance Blanks. Scott may not be a slam-dunk backup plan for the Cavs because the former New Jersey and New Orleans coach would be interested in the Los Angeles job if Phil Jackson retires.
Scott won three titles playing for the Lakers and has dreamed of coaching in L.A. He had an "out clause" built into his contract with the Nets so he could pursue the Lakers' job if it ever opened. He also loves the West Coast after being fired by the Hornets and might seriously listen to the Clippers if they're interested in him.
The Cavs also have contacted Milwaukee assistant Kelvin Sampson and former Atlanta coach and Cavs assistant Mike Woodson. The team could bring one of both of them in for interviews, but may wait until after they have a better sense of James' next off-the-floor move.
Gilbert knew finding Brown's replacement would be difficult. He said it would be ideal to have a coach in place by July 1, but that may be unrealistic. The draft is next week, and although the Cavs don't currently have a pick, they've been shopping around to obtain one.
They've also talked to several teams about possible trades, hoping to upgrade their roster and make it more appealing to James.
Brown was fired after five seasons for failing to win a championship. His successor will be hard pressed to match Brown's success over a five-year span, when the Cavs went to the finals, won two division titles and had the league's best regular-season record the past two seasons.
Comments
Yelmonian
Wed, Jun 16, 2010 : 10:28 a.m.
I have been reading Tater's non-sense on how Izzo blew it. How him looking at age 55 at the opportunity to coach at double the salary, potentially one of the greatest players of all time. This isn't the equivalent of Tater looking to change from his $10/hr job at Walmart, to a $15/hr job at Home Depot. For Izzo... this is the difference of going from a place he has worked for 28 years and has created in to a power house... to doubling your salary (and that is significant money) and coaching the greatest player in the game. But to put Tater's claim of it's about money and Izzo showed he's not an MSU guy in perspective... Izzo has been the Assistant Coach or Head Coach at MSU for the past 28 years. In that time, UM Basketball has had the following head coaches... Frieder, Fisher, Ellerbe, Amaker, and now Beilein. And my guess is Izzo will outlast Beilein. Heck... to further punctuate this... the UM Football Team has had the following football coaches in the same span.... Schembechler, Moeller, Carr, and Rodriquez. My point being... is that Izzo has been a true MSU person, and has served MSU and the State of Michigan above and beyond what one would expect from a coach. Izzo is to basketball in the State of Michigan, what Schembechler was to football. Tater's rants are unwarranted and baseless. I would think that as a fan of the University of Michigan, that Tater would try and be representative of the class and dignity that is exemplified by the University of Michigan. In Tater's diatribes, it's obvious that he doesn't believe that UM can actually match the accomplishments of the current MSU basketball program... so he takes joy in wishing MSU and Izzo to fail, hoping at that point, and only that point, can UM's basketball program succeed.
arob1
Wed, Jun 16, 2010 : 8:55 a.m.
Congrats to Tom for going back to his team. I do however find it interesting the local spins on the story. Particularly the "snub" comment like Tom snubbed the Cavs. If you read or listen to national radio shows he has a statement out there something like one of the major reasons he came back to MSU was the inability to talk to LeBron. If you recall he made a plea to LeBron to talk and LeBron "Snubbed" him. Therefore he came back to MSU. We all know how much he loves MSU and that's great but lets not kid ourselves he was VERY close to taking this deal and if LeBron had not dissed him he may have jumped but as expected that part of the story is ignored.
timeatwork
Wed, Jun 16, 2010 : 7:23 a.m.
@Tater. I had to look up who Chris "Jericho" Irvine was. so...you're a prof wrestling fan?? that explains a lot.... great news for msu. not so much for any of their opponents. his press conference helped explain why he took so much time deliberating. can't say i'm happy that he had to think so long before deciding he was a 'lifer'. but i'm glad he finally got the answer right.
braggslaw
Wed, Jun 16, 2010 : 7:05 a.m.
We annarborites have a link to UM but we also have a link to the state of Michigan Few college coaches can match the success and integrity of Tom Izzo. I believe he has one of the highest graduation rates for his players, that coupled with his success and unblemished record for doing things right makes him a a rare coach in college bb. Everyone in the state of Michigan should be happy. Now it is time for Brandon to figure out what to do with UM bb.
15crown00
Wed, Jun 16, 2010 : 12:54 a.m.
TAY TER YOU HAVE TO BE COMPUTER GENERATED. YOU CAN'T BE A REAL PERSON SPARTY ON
15crown00
Wed, Jun 16, 2010 : 12:47 a.m.
hey Tater how about you and the rest of the ARROGANT BLUE BRAINS just crawling in a hole somewhere -maybe the 50 yrd. line at THE BIG HOUSE-,STAYING THERE ALL WINTER FOR THE NEXT 10-15 YRS.AND WATCH YOUR WOLVIE BB team get whipped soundly by everybody BUT ESPECIALLY BY King Tom and Sparty. SPARTY ON ANN ARBOR
aarox
Tue, Jun 15, 2010 : 10:46 p.m.
What we found out is that Izzo wasn't agonizing over the Cavs. He was deciding once and for all if he was going to move. Game over.
Atlas Shrugged
Tue, Jun 15, 2010 : 10:41 p.m.
I don't think Tom Izzo "rejected" the Cavs as much as he embraced Sparty basketball, the school, and the many great contributions he's made to his players and will continue to do in the future. He's a class act in a time when many others would sell out simply for more money.
aarox
Tue, Jun 15, 2010 : 10:39 p.m.
2sweetblue, no, tater is not alright. i think you already knew this. I got diss'ed by the AA for going 'off topic' on him but he must have pix for what he spews. So read this quick before its gone! this a time to celebrate the Big Ten and to celebrate what is left of integrity in college sports. As much as I'd like Tommy to be coaching my little brothers, Tom is a class act and adds value to us and the rest of the Big Ten.
2sweetblue
Tue, Jun 15, 2010 : 10:26 p.m.
I swear I read that exact same comment on a Sparty article....
2sweetblue
Tue, Jun 15, 2010 : 10:23 p.m.
Wow Tater are you alright??
Engineer
Tue, Jun 15, 2010 : 9:29 p.m.
Mr. Brandon needs a coach to compete with Izzo. Perhaps U of M could learn something from him. He ttok Cleeves who took money from Ed Martin and no big deal to MSU. Michigan had a couple of players do the same and the wheels feel off the train.
Basic Bob
Tue, Jun 15, 2010 : 8:33 p.m.
Izzo made a smart decision. He already makes millions per year and controls his own future in East Lansing. He doesn't have to win another championship at MSU to keep his job; not so with the Cavs.
aareader
Tue, Jun 15, 2010 : 7:41 p.m.
As I noted when this story appeared a couple of weeks ago. Izzo owns MSU Basketball Izzo owns State of Michigan basketball Izzo loves MSU and the Fans love him. I predicted he would stay..... and he did. I am a GO Blue guy but when you see a great coach with class and love of the game I am happy he will be in the area for a long time. It is good thing for MSU and the State of Michigan!