Michigan State's Tom Izzo reveals the 1 NBA job he nearly left for
Tom Izzo is the longest tenured coach in the power conferences, but he revealed that he almost made the jump to the NBA last offseason.
Michigan State's Tom Izzo is the second-longest tenured head coach in Division I men's college basketball, and as he gets set to enter his 32nd season on the job next year, it's long been assumed the 71-year-old will retire a Spartan. However, it seems that very nearly wasn't the case. During an interview with Dan Patrick, Izzo revealed that he's had a handful of NBA offers over the years, with one very nearly swaying him to leave the college game last offseason.
Izzo revealed he was deep in discussions with the Phoenix Suns , who are owned by former Michigan State guard Matt Ishbia, to become their head coach. He said it was a "hard" job to turn down. "I've had more than a couple job offers in the NBA, looked at one last year with Phoenix ā my former player Mat Ishbia," Izzo said.
"That was hard, that was a hard thing to turn down... we talked seriously about it, let's say that. " Michigan State HC Tom Izzo reveals he was in talks with the Phoenix #Suns : "I've had more than a couple job offers in the NBA, looked at one last year with Phoenix ā my former player Mat Ishbia.
That was hard, that was a hard thing to turn down... we talked seriously about it. " pic.