Michigan State legend Tom Izzo reveals shocking NBA offer he declined
The Michigan State Spartans have had plenty of consistency at head coach for decades with Tom Izzo leading the way, but an NBA team nearly poached the all-time great in 2025. The college basketball icon is one of the longest-tenured coaches on the men’s side of the sport. However, there has been temptation over the years to make the leap to the highest level in basketball.
MORE: Duke broadcasters pout after brutal 2026 NCAA Tournament collapse During a recent appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show,” the Michigan State great revealed that he had serious conversations with a Western Conference franchise. The Phoenix Suns actually made an offer given Izzo’s relationship with Suns owner Mat Ishbia. 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 – my former player Mat Ishbia.
That was hard, that was a hard thing to turn down… we talked seriously about it. " pic. twitter.
com/kjSIJreIWz — Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) April 1, 2026 Izzo has made eight Final Four appearances with the Spartans during his 31-plus years in charge of the program. Meanwhile, Ishbia – one of Izzo’s former players – nearly made an offer last year that the Michigan State coach couldn’t refuse. “I’ve had more than a couple job offers in the NBA, looked at one last year with Phoenix – my former player Mat Ishbia,” Izzo revealed on “The Dan Patrick Show .
” “That was hard, that was a hard thing to turn down… we talked seriously about it. ” Ishbia purchased the rights to the Suns and WNBA franchise Phoenix Mercury back in 2022 for a reported $4 billion. MORE: Top players to watch in Final Four of 2026 NCAA Tournament The 71 year old has only coached above college basketball briefly during the early 2000s when he took on a role with Team USA.