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Izzo rejects Cavs, staying with Michigan State
Tom Izzo is staying at Michigan State, turning down a chance to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers and perhaps LeBron James.
In a statement released by the school on Tuesday, Izzo said, "I'm pleased to say I am here for life at Michigan State."
For the past nine days, Izzo had 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 coach one of the best basketball players in the world.
"Throughout the entire process, Dan Gilbert and the entire Cleveland organization has been nothing but class. His professionalism and caring nature for me, my family and Michigan State have been impressive. I wish him nothing but the best in his quest to win a world championship," Izzo said in a statement released by the school. "Just as I decided to stay home, I hope a 6-8, 270-pound forward in Cleveland decides to stay home."
The Spartans have scheduled an 8:30 p.m. ET news conference with Izzo, school president Lou Anna Simon and athletic director Mark Hollis.
"I'd like to thank the students, alumni and fans of Michigan State University for their concerns and thoughts," Hollis said in a statement released by the school. "This has been an anxious process for everyone and their support and patience was much appreciated by everyone.
"Coach Izzo is more than a basketball coach. He positively impacts everything he touches, much of which is outside the job description of coaching basketball. With traits such as hard work, dedication, perseverance and attention to detail, he's a symbol of what we should possess as we work together for the financial recovery of our great state. During difficult times, the people of our state turn our focus to these kinds of people ... Joe Louis, Al Kaline, Barry Sanders, Bo Schembechler, Steve Yzerman, Magic Johnson and Tom Izzo. Coach Izzo is a natural resource of the state of Michigan."
Source: AP
In a statement released by the school on Tuesday, Izzo said, "I'm pleased to say I am here for life at Michigan State."
For the past nine days, Izzo had 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 coach one of the best basketball players in the world.
"Throughout the entire process, Dan Gilbert and the entire Cleveland organization has been nothing but class. His professionalism and caring nature for me, my family and Michigan State have been impressive. I wish him nothing but the best in his quest to win a world championship," Izzo said in a statement released by the school. "Just as I decided to stay home, I hope a 6-8, 270-pound forward in Cleveland decides to stay home."
The Spartans have scheduled an 8:30 p.m. ET news conference with Izzo, school president Lou Anna Simon and athletic director Mark Hollis.
"I'd like to thank the students, alumni and fans of Michigan State University for their concerns and thoughts," Hollis said in a statement released by the school. "This has been an anxious process for everyone and their support and patience was much appreciated by everyone.
"Coach Izzo is more than a basketball coach. He positively impacts everything he touches, much of which is outside the job description of coaching basketball. With traits such as hard work, dedication, perseverance and attention to detail, he's a symbol of what we should possess as we work together for the financial recovery of our great state. During difficult times, the people of our state turn our focus to these kinds of people ... Joe Louis, Al Kaline, Barry Sanders, Bo Schembechler, Steve Yzerman, Magic Johnson and Tom Izzo. Coach Izzo is a natural resource of the state of Michigan."
Source: AP