Izzo Watch 6/11: Golf Outing Cancelled, No Press Conference Scheduled Yet

Submitted by Geaux_Blue on

Per Jim Comparoni (and RT by MGoBlog), Izzo has cancelled his golf outing in Lansing. This, despite the football team soldiering ahead, comes in the face of rumors of a 4 pm press conference. 

In Jim's words

msu football coaches are at lansing country club. he was supposed to golf with dantonio today. msu fball coaches say it doesn't look good

We'll see what develops but Izzo is in his 50's and as one writer stated "if he had any intention of going to the NBA, it's likely now or never." MSU administration has to be sick of the constant flux his aspirations have put them in, despite the fact Izzo has handled his interests as classy as possible, leading to some legitimately level-headed responses from members of tRCMB (lol wut?!)

We shall see. In the meantime thought it would be good to get one topic up for all of the stuff sure to come today.

Update: As of 11 am EST, Larry Lage reports that Izzo has not made a decision. Further, one of the planes that has been tied to the Cavs is headed to Boston, where it is believed Scott still is. Also no confirmation of 4 pm presser.

turd ferguson

June 11th, 2010 at 11:35 AM ^

hopefully he's gone, but this is win-win for us. if i'm a recruit, there's no way that i believe izzo will be around east lansing for the next four years whether he takes this job or not.

turd ferguson

June 11th, 2010 at 11:41 AM ^

i guess i'm just not convinced that this is the best opportunity. part of that is the uncertainty with lebron, but then there's the fact that it's an extremely difficult job without lebron and an extremely difficult job to get credit for with him. plus, he'd have to suddenly change his tune on the "never say never" thing. then again, i'm surprised that he didn't take the chicago opportunity more seriously, so i might be wrong on this.

BlockM

June 11th, 2010 at 11:34 AM ^

There are any number of reasons he could be skipping out on the golfing, but it sure doesn't look good. Is it too early to start the Ellerbe to MSU campaign?

Geaux_Blue

June 11th, 2010 at 11:43 AM ^

the thing that stood out to me was how the MSU coaches felt on it. i would assume they'd be more tapped in to the situation. not to mention if Izzo pulled out bc of "rain," he could easily have asked the football team to remove themselves as well to make it a group decision instead of men's basketball just simply not showing.

HartAttack20

June 11th, 2010 at 11:35 AM ^

This story has unfolded in an odd manner. Originally, I thought this was never possible, but now I'm thinking it could happen. God, I hope he leaves. For some reason I doubt he's a good NBA coach, but, whatever, take a shot Izzo. I don't mind one bit.

Bryan

June 11th, 2010 at 11:36 AM ^

Besides the $30m or whatever is offered, why go to Cleveland? If Lebron signs somewhere else, Cleveland is looking at a long rebuilding process. Perhaps Izzo would be offered player/personnel decisions, but is that really enough to make the leap? Maybe he feels as through he has something to prove...

Bryan

June 11th, 2010 at 11:46 AM ^

I was trying to say that he could get close to that sum with a different NBA team, so why, unless there are assurances that Lebron is coming back go to a team that will probably be average at best over the next few seasons. Izzo could stay in EL this year with the team that is supposed to be his best ever and really make a run at the national title and then see what better options exist next season in the NBA. 

But hey, $30m is $30m.

ambamb

June 11th, 2010 at 12:34 PM ^

The experiment fails, he is gone, and then what. He can stay at MSU and coach twice as long and earn the $30M without the risk of falling flat on his face. There is no way Izzo's style of coaching works in the NBA. He is not calm on the sideline, and never will be. He is simply a great college coach.

TheLastHarbaugh

June 11th, 2010 at 11:43 AM ^

At first I didn't believe any of the rumors (how could you? it happens every year).

Then, after the meeting with the team I was guarded in my optimism.

Now I've let myself believe that he actually might leave (You don't just cancel a round last minute without good reason).

Wow, we might actually be rid of Izzo.

Tater

June 11th, 2010 at 11:45 AM ^

I certainly hope Izzo takes the job.  But even if he doesn't, I admire his choice of golf partners.  Cancelling a golf gig with Dantonio definitely shows impeccable taste on his part.

Jinxed

June 11th, 2010 at 12:15 PM ^

Lol... only an MSU alum would try weaseling away the best coach its school has had in years... imagine our reaction if a few years from now, Rich Rod becomes extremely successful here and then Stephen Ross tries hiring him away from our school...

Indiana Wolverine

June 11th, 2010 at 1:20 PM ^

I had breakfast this morning with Russell Byrd a 2010 MSU committ and he says Izzo has not returned his calls inquiring about the situation.  His secretary did talk to Byrd to say that Izzo is considering the move but gave no indication which way he was leaning.  I know this is pretty uninformative but it does make me think that the reports of him not leaning either way are correct.

Stymie2000

June 11th, 2010 at 3:32 PM ^

when Izzo leaves is hire Bob Huggins and in a year or two, after Dantonio fails, hire Bill Stewart.  Can't imagine how ticked off the people of West Virginia would be with the state of Michigan.