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Izzo Considered Leaving MSU for Suns in 2025
Legendary Spartans coach says he 'talked seriously' about joining Phoenix and former player Mat Ishbia
Apr. 1, 2026 at 3:52pm
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Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo revealed he was in serious discussions last year about leaving the Spartans to become the head coach of the NBA's Phoenix Suns, who are owned by his former player Mat Ishbia. Izzo, who just completed his 31st season at MSU, said the opportunity to work with Ishbia and the Suns was 'hard to turn down' before ultimately deciding to remain in East Lansing.
Why it matters
Izzo's potential departure would have been a seismic shift in college basketball, as the Hall of Fame coach has built Michigan State into a perennial powerhouse over the past three decades. His willingness to consider an NBA job, even with a former player, underscores the growing tensions between the college and professional ranks as top coaches are increasingly lured by lucrative NBA opportunities.
The details
In an interview with The Dan Patrick Show, the 70-year-old Izzo said he 'talked seriously' with the Suns last offseason about their head coaching vacancy after they fired Mike Budenholzer. Izzo cited his relationship with Suns owner Mat Ishbia, a former walk-on for Izzo's 2000 national championship team at MSU, as a key factor in his consideration of the NBA job. However, Izzo ultimately decided to remain the Spartans' head coach, where he has led the program to 28 straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
- In the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Izzo's Spartans reached the Elite Eight before being eliminated.
- Last offseason, the Phoenix Suns fired head coach Mike Budenholzer after just one season.
- On April 1, 2026, Izzo revealed on The Dan Patrick Show that he 'talked seriously' with the Suns about their head coaching job.
The players
Tom Izzo
The Hall of Fame head coach who has led the Michigan State Spartans basketball program for the past 31 seasons, building it into a perennial NCAA Tournament contender.
Mat Ishbia
The owner of the Phoenix Suns NBA franchise and a former walk-on player for Izzo's 2000 national championship team at Michigan State.
Mike Budenholzer
The former head coach of the Phoenix Suns, who was fired after just one season in 2025.
What they’re saying
“I've had more than a couple of job offers in the NBA and look, that one last year with Phoenix and you know my former player, Mat Ishbia, and that was hard. That was a hard thing to turn down because No. 1, I kind of wanted to go with him ...”
— Tom Izzo, Head Coach, Michigan State Spartans
What’s next
Izzo is expected to continue leading the Michigan State Spartans basketball program, where he has built a Hall of Fame career over the past three decades.
The takeaway
Izzo's willingness to consider an NBA job, even with a former player, underscores the growing tensions between the college and professional ranks as top coaches are increasingly lured by lucrative opportunities in the pros. However, Izzo's decision to remain at Michigan State preserves the stability of one of college basketball's most consistent powerhouse programs.
