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Tom Izzo

Izzo at a practice before the Carrier Classic in 2011
Current position
Title	Head coach
Team	Michigan State
Conference	Big Ten
Record	597–230
Annual salary	$3.65 million [1]
Biographical details
Born	(1955-01-30) January 30, 1955 (age 64) Iron Mountain, Michigan
Playing career
1973–1977	Northern Michigan
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1977–1979	Ishpeming HS
1979–1983	Northern Michigan (assistant)
1983–1995	Michigan State (assistant)
1995–present	Michigan State
Head coaching record
Overall	597–230
Tournaments	48–20 (NCAA Division I) 2–2 (NIT)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
NCAA Division I Tournament (2000) 7 NCAA Regional – Final Four (1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015) 8 Big Ten regular season (1998–2001, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2018) 5 Big Ten Tournament (1999, 2000, 2012, 2014, 2016)
Awards
AP College Coach of the Year (1998) Henry Iba Award (1998) 2× NABC Coach of the Year (2001, 2012) Clair Bee Coach of the Year Award (2005) John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award (2011) 3× Big Ten Coach of the Year (1998, 2009, 2012)
Basketball Hall of Fame Inducted in 2016

Tom Izzo^[2] (/ˈɪzoʊ/, Italian pronunciation: [ˈittso]); born January 30, 1955), is an American college basketball coach. Since 1995, Izzo has been the head coach for the Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team.^[3] On April 4, 2016, Izzo was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.^[4]

Under Izzo, Michigan State has been a successful collegiate basketball program, earning him the nickname of “Mr. March” by some^[5][6][7] on account of his past success in the NCAA Tournament. Izzo has led the Spartans to the 2000 NCAA Division I National Championship, the 2009 NCAA National Championship Game, seven Final Fours, eight Big Ten championships, and five Big Ten Tournament championships in his 23 years at Michigan State. The coach with the most wins in school history, Izzo's teams have earned invitations to 21 consecutive NCAA tournaments, in addition to setting the Big Ten record for the longest home winning streak. These accomplishments led analyst Andy Katz at ESPN to deem Michigan State the top college basketball program for the decade from 1998 to 2007.^[8]

Currently the longest-tenured coach in the Big Ten Conference, Izzo, whose teams are often recognized for their rebounding prowess and defensive tenacity, has won four national coach of the year awards and maintains a considerable coaching tree—several of his former assistants are currently head coaches at other Division I schools. Izzo has won eight regular season conference titles, tied for the third most in conference history. He has also won the most Big Ten Tournament titles (five) in conference history. Izzo is second all time in Big Ten wins (272 through 2018), trailing only Bob Knight.^[9]

Biography

Playing career

Izzo was born and raised in Iron Mountain in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In his hometown he met best friend and former NFL head coach Steve Mariucci. Both he and his friend attended Iron Mountain High where they were teammates on the football, basketball and track teams. At Northern Michigan University in Marquette, where they were roommates, Izzo played guard for the men's basketball team from 1973 to 1977. In his senior season, he set a school record for minutes played and was named a Division II All-American.

Early coaching career

After graduating from Northern Michigan, Izzo was head coach at Ishpeming High School for one season. He then took an assistant coaching job at Northern Michigan University from 1979 to 1983. Izzo was then named a part-time assistant at Michigan State in September 1983. After a short two-month stay in 1986 as an assistant coach at University of Tulsa, Izzo returned to Michigan State when assistant Mike Deane left to become head coach at Siena College. Prior to the 1990–91 season, then coach Jud Heathcote elevated Izzo to associate head coach. After Heathcote's retirement following the 1994–95 season and upon both Heathcote and the Michigan State Athletic Director's recommendation, Izzo was named the new head coach of men's basketball for MSU.^[10]

Head coach at Michigan State

Izzo and John Calipari, the two highest paid college coaches in 2012^[11]

Hired as head coach at Michigan State in 1995, Izzo is currently the longest-tenured basketball coach in the Big Ten Conference. He became the coach with the most wins in school history after winning his 341st game on November 29, 2009 to surpass Heathcote.^[12] In his first two seasons as head coach, Izzo went 9–9 finishing 6th and 7th in the conference and failed to make the NCAA Tournament. In 1998, MSU's record in conference improved to 13–3 and Izzo won the first of his seven regular-season Big Ten championships. 1998 also saw Michigan State begin a streak of 20 straight NCAA Tournament appearances, which is the 3rd longest current streak among Division I teams. Izzo has a record of 47–19 in the NCAA Tournament. In 1999, Izzo won his first of five Big Ten Tournament titles, and went to his first Final Four, the first of three straight Final Four appearances, joining Krzyzewski and Ben Howland as the only three coaches who have made three consecutive Final Fours since the NCAA Tournament bracket expanded to 64 teams in 1985. In the instate rivalry with Michigan, Izzo's official record against the Wolverines is 24–14, although Michigan vacated five of their wins in the series at the start of his head coaching career.

In 2000, Izzo led MSU to its second NCAA national championship with an 89–76 win over Florida. Eighty-two percent of his players who completed their eligibility left MSU with a degree. Over the years, Izzo has been pursued by the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New Jersey Nets for head coaching jobs.^[13][14][15] After a brief flirtation with Cleveland, on June 15, 2010, Izzo reported to the Michigan State University's Board of Trustees that he would remain head coach of Michigan State, in which he stated he was "a Spartan for life."^[16]

Izzo fell short of obtaining his second national championship in 2009, losing to North Carolina 89–72. His streak of three straight Final Four appearances from 1999 to 2001 is the third-longest of all time, and his six Final Four appearances in the years 1999–2010 were matched by no other team in college basketball.

In 2013, Izzo was voted as the fifth angriest coach in college basketball by USA Today Sports, an honor that he cherishes.^[17]

On November 26, 2015, Izzo won his 500th career game, all with Michigan State, with a win over Boston College in the Wooden Legacy.^[18] On January 28, 2016, Izzo won his 513th career game moving him into second place past Gene Keady all time for wins by a coach in the Big Ten.^[19] He trails only Bob Knight.^[19]

On March 18, 2016, MSU suffered what was, at the time, perhaps the single greatest upset in NCAA Tournament history when No. 15 seeded Middle Tennessee defeated the No. 2 seeded Spartans 90–81.^[20] It was believed that MSU was the equivalent of a No. 1 seed and Vegas odds had them pegged the favorite to win the title. Middle Tennessee led from start to finish and held off repeated Michigan State threats to take the lead. Despite that, Izzo stated that the team "resurrected me".^[21]

On October 13, 2016, Izzo won the Dean Smith Award which is awarded to “an individual in college basketball who embodies the spirit and values of the late North Carolina coaching great.”.^[22]

Hall of Fame

On April 4, 2016, Izzo was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.^[23] Izzo chose former Maryland head coach Gary Williams to introduce him at the Hall of Fame ceremony.^[24] He was inducted into the Hall of Fame on September 9, 2016.^[25]

Coaching philosophy

Izzo's teams are known for strong guard play, toughness and rebounding. Izzo is famed for his "war" rebounding drill, in which the players wear football helmets and shoulder pads.^[27] His motto is "Players Play – Tough Players Win".^[28] His other coaching philosophies include, "he doesn't determine playing time, players do" and "A player-coached team is better than a coach-coached team." Izzo is also known for scheduling extremely tough non-conference schedules as preparation for the NCAA tournament in March.

High School Player Development

High School All-Americans

Eighteen High School All-Americans have played for Tom Izzo at MSU:

• 1996: Mateen Cleaves (M)


• 1999: Jason Richardson (M)


• 2000: Marcus Taylor (M), Zach Randolph (M)


• 2001: Kelvin Torbert (M)


• 2002: Paul Davis (M)


• 2003: Shannon Brown (M, J), Brandon Cotton (M)


• 2007: Kalin Lucas (J)


• 2008: Delvon Roe (J)


• 2010: Keith Appling (M)


• 2011: Branden Dawson (M)


• 2012: Gary Harris (M, J)


• 2015: Deyonta Davis (M, J)


• 2016: Miles Bridges (M, J), Joshua Langford (M), Cassius Winston (J)


• 2017: Jaren Jackson Jr. (M, J)

M = McDonald's All-Americans;
J = Jordan Brand All-Americans

Mr. Basketball

14 different Mr. Basketball winners have played (or will play) for Tom Izzo at MSU.

Mr. Basketball of Michigan

• 1999: Jason Richardson, Saginaw Arthur Hill
  


• 2000: Marcus Taylor, Lansing Waverly


• 2001: Kelvin Torbert, Flint Northwestern High School
  


• 2002: Paul Davis, Rochester High School
  


• 2004: Drew Neitzel, Wyoming Park High School
  


• 2009: Derrick Nix, Detroit Pershing


• 2010: Keith Appling, Detroit Pershing


• 2012: Matt Costello, Bay City Western


• 2015: Deyonta Davis, Muskegon


• 2016: Cassius Winston, University of Detroit-Jesuit


• 2018: Foster Loyer, Clarkston^[29]
  

Illinois

• 2003: Shannon Brown, Proviso East High School
  

Indiana

• 2012: Gary Harris, Hamilton Southeastern

Minnesota

• 2006: Isaiah Dahlman, Braham

College player development

National Player of the Year Awards

Under Izzo, two Spartans have earned National Player of the Year awards:

• 2012: Draymond Green (NABC Player of the Year)


• 2016: Denzel Valentine (NABC Player of the Year)

College All-America honors

Under Izzo, eight Spartans have earned All-America honors

• 1998: Mateen Cleaves
  


• 1999: Mateen Cleaves
  


• 2000: Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson
  


• 2001: Charlie Bell, Jason Richardson
  


• 2003: Chris Hill (Academic)


• 2004: Chris Hill (Academic)


• 2005: Chris Hill (Academic)


• 2007: Drew Neitzel
  


• 2008: Drew Neitzel (Academic)


• 2012: Draymond Green
  


• 2016: Denzel Valentine
  


• 2018: Miles Bridges
  

All-Big Ten

Under Izzo, five different players have been named Big Ten Player of the Year. 12 different players have earned first team All-Big Ten conference recognition while 17 have been named All-Big Ten second team..

Big Ten Player of the Year

• 1998: Mateen Cleaves
  


• 1999: Mateen Cleaves
  


• 2000: Morris Peterson
  


• 2009: Kalin Lucas
  


• 2012: Draymond Green
  


• 2016: Denzel Valentine
  

First Team

• 1998: Mateen Cleaves
  


• 1999: Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson
  


• 2000: Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson
  


• 2001: Charlie Bell, Jason Richardson
  


• 2002: Marcus Taylor
  


• 2004: Paul Davis
  


• 2007: Drew Neitzel
  


• 2008: Drew Neitzel (coaches)


• 2009: Kalin Lucas
  


• 2010: Kalin Lucas
  


• 2012: Draymond Green
  


• 2014: Gary Harris
  


• 2016: Denzel Valentine
  


• 2018: Miles Bridges
  

Second Team

• 2001: Charlie Bell, Andre Hutson
  


• 2003: Chris Hill
  


• 2004: Chris Hill
  


• 2005: Maurice Ager, Alan Anderson
  


• 2006: Maurice Ager, Shannon Brown, Paul Davis
  


• 2008: Drew Neitzel (media), Raymar Morgan
  


• 2009: Goran Suton
  


• 2011: Kalin Lucas
  


• 2013: Keith Appling, Gary Harris, Adreian Payne
  


• 2014: Adreian Payne
  


• 2015: Branden Dawson
  


• 2016: Bryn Forbes
  


• 2017: Miles Bridges
  

Sixth Man of the Year

• 2010: Draymond Green
  

Freshman of the Year

• 2013: Gary Harris
  


• 2017: Miles Bridges
  


• 2018: Jaren Jackson Jr.
  

Defensive Player of the Year

• 2009: Travis Walton
  


• 2018: Jaren Jackson Jr.
  

NBA player development

NBA Draft

Since he took over as head coach, 20 players have been selected in the NBA draft, with 11 of those players being drafted in the first round. The former players under Tom Izzo who have been selected in the NBA draft are:
^[30]

Undrafted players to appear in the NBA

• 2001: Charlie Bell (Phoenix Suns)


• 2005: Alan Anderson (Charlotte Bobcats)


• 2014: Kalin Lucas (Memphis Grizzlies)


• 2015: Keith Appling (Orlando Magic)


• 2016: Bryn Forbes (San Antonio Spurs)


• 2017: Matt Costello (San Antonio Spurs)

NFL Draft

Two former Spartan basketball players have joined the National Football League after the conclusion of their college basketball careers.

• 2007: Matt Trannon (Undrafted – Arizona Cardinals)


• 2013: Dion Sims (Miami Dolphins)

NBA championships

• On June 14, 2009, Shannon Brown of the Los Angeles Lakers became the first former player under Izzo to win an NBA Championship. Brown went on to win a second NBA championship in 2010.


• On June 16, 2015, Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors became the second former player under Izzo to win an NBA Championship. Green went on to win a second NBA championship in 2017 and a third in 2018.

Coaching tree

Three of Izzo's former assistants are currently head coaches at other schools:

• 
  Tom Crean – Georgia (formerly coach at Indiana and Marquette)


• 
  Mark Montgomery – Northern Illinois
  


• 
  Brian Gregory – South Florida (formerly coach at Georgia Tech and Dayton)

One of Izzo's former assistants is a head coach in the NBA:

• 
  Jim Boylen – Chicago Bulls (formerly coach at Utah)

One of Izzo's former players is currently a head coach:

• 
  Maurice Joseph – George Washington
  

Several former Izzo assistants were college head coaches:

• 
  Stan Heath – Kent State, Arkansas, South Florida
  


• 
  Stan Joplin – Toledo
  


• 
  Doug Wojcik – Tulsa, Charleston
  

Current Izzo assistants who were previously college head coaches:

• 
  Dane Fife – IPFW
  


• 
  Mike Garland – Cleveland State
  

Other basketball endeavors

USA basketball

Izzo was head coach of the USA Basketball men's team that took 4th place at the 2003 Pan American Games. Prior to that he was assistant coach of the team that had a 5–0 record and won the gold medal at the 2001 Goodwill Games. Izzo served on the Collegiate Committee of USA Basketball's 2005–2008 Quadrennium Committees.^[31]

Operation Hardwood

In 2005 and 2006, Izzo participated in Operation Hardwood, in which college coaches went to Kuwait military camps to coach basketball teams of American service members. Among the other coaches were Tubby Smith, Gary Williams, and Rick Barnes. In 2005, Izzo's team won the tournament championship.

Marriage and family

Tom Izzo has been married to his wife, Lupe Marinez Izzo since 1992. They have a daughter, Raquel, and an adopted son, Steven.^[32][33]

Head coaching record

See also

• List of NCAA Division I Men's Final Four appearances by coach


• NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament consecutive appearances

References

External links

• Official website


• Michigan State profile


• 
  Tom Izzo at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame