By Michigan Radio News
Spartan men's basketball coach Tom Izzo ended days of speculation Tuesday night, announcing plans to stay at Michigan State University.
The NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers had reportedly offered Izzo $6 million dollars a year to coach their team. But in the end, Izzo says he wants to be a 'Lifer' at MSU.
"It was a once in a lifetime decision for me. It was at a point in my life that I looked at it and said, 'How many more opportunities do you get?' I know a lot of people say, 'Why would you want to leave?' I didn't want to leave."
Izzo says he felt stung by critics who questioned why he would consider leaving college basketball for the pros. He says he'll use that criticism as motivation to be a better coach, and recruiter.
"There are a lot of recruits out there that are 'The next Lebron James'. I'm going to be looking for them. Instead of coaching them in the NBA, I'm going to coach them in the NCAA. I'm going to do the best job I can," he says.
The nine day courtship of Tom Izzo by the Cavaliers turned into a daily soap opera for Spartan fans. Many gathered outside the Breslin Center waiting for word last night. When the word came, a collective sigh of relief was practically audible in East Lansing.
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