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Izzo turns down Cavs, remains at MSU

Tue 15th, June 2010

East Lansing, MI (Sports Network) - Tom Izzo announced Tuesday his intentions to stay as head men's basketball coach at Michigan State University, ending any speculation he may leave for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Talks heated up last week of Izzo mulling a move to Cleveland, which fired head coach Mike Brown after a second-round exit in the playoffs.

Izzo quickly became a prime target, as the Cavs are looking to lure a high- profile coach prior to LeBron James becoming a free agent.

"There's financial things, there's a dream of coaching in the NBA, if there is a dream," Izzo said. "There's the opportunity to maybe coach one of the greatest players that will ever play the game. Ironically, I'm at a school that already has the greatest player that has ever played the game in Magic (Johnson)."

However, all the supposition went for naught, and Izzo will stay with the program he led to the national title in 2000 and six Final Four appearances in his 15 seasons at the helm.

"There was a lot of information to gather and consider and some of it wasn't easily obtainable," Izzo said in a released statement. "But when making a life decision, I owed it to myself and my family to do my due diligence. From that I never wavered. And I'm pleased to say I am here for life at Michigan State.

"Throughout the entire process, [Cavs owner] 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."

The 55-year-old Izzo also stated he hopes James stays in Cleveland, saying, "Just as I decided to stay home, I hope a 6-8, 270-pound forward in Cleveland decides to stay home."

During a press conference at Michigan State Tuesday night, Izzo was joined on the podium by the men's basketball team and some former Spartan players.

"A lot of people would say, 'Why would you want to leave?' I didn't, I didn't want to leave," Izzo said. "I decided this decision would put me here for life or not. I'm not going through any of this anymore."

The Spartans went 28-9 last season and reached the Final Four before being ousted by Butler. They lost only one starting senior and return former Big Ten Player of the Year Kalin Lucas.

"Over the past week, Coach Izzo addressed a personal opportunity that he did not seek out," MSU athletics director Mark Hollis said. "He owed it to himself to completely understand, evaluate, reflect and come to a conclusion that will be part of his life forever. And we owed it to him to allow this process to happen. Throughout the process, his heart was always at MSU."

Former Nets and Hornets coach Byron Scott, Milwaukee assistant Kelvin Sampson, and ex-Hawks coach Mike Woodson are reportedly on Cleveland's radar as candidates to replace Brown.