Michigan State's Tom Izzo 'Talked Seriously' About Suns Head Coaching Job

The legendary Spartans coach says he was tempted by the opportunity to reunite with former player Mat Ishbia, the Suns' owner.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 12:38am

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Michigan State head basketball coach Tom Izzo revealed that he 'talked seriously' with the Phoenix Suns last summer about their head coaching vacancy. Izzo, who has led the Spartans since 1995, was intrigued by the chance to work with Suns owner Mat Ishbia, a former Michigan State player. However, Izzo ultimately decided to remain in East Lansing, and the Suns hired Jordan Ott, one of Izzo's former assistants, as their new head coach.

Why it matters

Izzo's potential departure would have been a major shakeup in college basketball, as he has built Michigan State into a perennial powerhouse over the past 27 seasons. The Suns' decision to hire one of Izzo's former assistants also highlights the strong pipeline of talent flowing from East Lansing to the NBA.

The details

Izzo said on 'The Dan Patrick Show' that he 'talked seriously' with the Suns about their head coaching job last summer. The connection between Izzo and Suns owner Mat Ishbia, who played for Izzo at Michigan State, was a key factor that had Izzo tempted by the NBA opportunity. However, Izzo ultimately decided to remain the head coach of the Spartans, who were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 this year.

  • In the summer of 2025, Izzo 'talked seriously' with the Suns about their head coaching vacancy.
  • On March 27, 2026, Michigan State was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16.

The players

Tom Izzo

The legendary head basketball coach at Michigan State University, where he has led the Spartans to 28 straight NCAA Tournament appearances and 8 Final Four berths since 1995.

Mat Ishbia

The owner of the Phoenix Suns and a former player for Izzo at Michigan State, where he was a member of the 1999-2000 national championship team.

Jordan Ott

The current head coach of the Phoenix Suns, who previously served as an assistant coach under Izzo at Michigan State.

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What they’re saying

“'I was a lot younger but I have [had] more than a couple of job offers in the NBA and looked at one last year with Phoenix.'”

— Tom Izzo, Head Basketball Coach, Michigan State University

“'My former player, Mat Ishbia. That was hard. That was a hard thing to turn down because … I kind of wanted to go with him.'”

— Tom Izzo, Head Basketball Coach, Michigan State University

What’s next

Izzo has stated that he will be returning as Michigan State's head coach next season and is not considering retirement.

The takeaway

Tom Izzo's flirtation with the NBA and the Phoenix Suns highlights the respect he has earned in the basketball world, but his decision to remain at Michigan State demonstrates his deep commitment to the program he has built into a perennial powerhouse.