Oldskool Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/?p=29584 Sources close to WFNY have informed us that Tom Izzo has told his players at Michigan State that he plans on taking the Cavaliers job. Our sources have heard directly from players on the MSU team that Izzo informed them this week that he is planning on making the move up to the NBA level under the ownership of MSU grad Dan Gilbert. We have also heard from a separate source that Izzo is holding off on announcing this until the end of the week, when his kids finish up school in the Lansing area. While Izzo could always change his mind, we are comfortable reporting that he has in fact informed his players at Michigan State that he will be taking the Cavaliers job. More details as we get them. Update from Rick: We have three separate confirmations. Nobody at WFNY expects Izzo to announce a press conference immediately in response to this. He has his timing. We will stand by the story and wait it out. http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/06/sources_say_msu_players_believ.html Michigan State coach Tom Izzo reportedly will visit Cleveland today, meet Cavaliers officials CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Tom Izzo has flirted with NBA jobs before and then backed away from the edge only to stay at Michigan State. There's a chance that is what could be happening with his latest suitor, the Cavaliers. But there's no doubt the Michigan State coach is getting closer to that edge. According to a Michigan State source, Izzo has scheduled a trip to Cleveland on Thursday to meet with team officials and possibly tour the Cavs' facilities. Whether or not Izzo will go through with the trip is unknown. That isn't the only sign he's gotten serious about Dan Gilbert's offer to replace Mike Brown. Sources told The Plain Dealer Wednesday that Michigan State players left a meeting with Izzo Tuesday night believing he was going to take the Cavs' job. Izzo didn't tell the players that directly. He called the meeting to acknowledge reports that he'd been offered the job, but players left afraid they were about to lose their coach. Several other sources, however, indicated Izzo hadn't made a final decision. The expectation is he will take at least a couple more days to make up his mind. LeBron James is expected to take considerably longer to make up his mind about his future. With so much uncertainty, the Cavs are hedging their bets. According to a league source, the Cavs have opened discussions with former Nets and Hornets head coach Byron Scott. ESPN reported on Wednesday that Scott could interview with the team before the end of the week. However, sources indicate Izzo is still Gilbert's first choice. This is not the first time Izzo has been in this position. He has declined offers to leave for the NBA numerous times over the last 10 years. He's been on the brink a few times, especially with the Atlanta Hawks in 2000, before deciding to stay with the Spartans.His latest rejection of an NBA job was recent as well. A Michigan State trustee told both the Chicago Tribune and the Detroit News on Wednesday that the Chicago Bulls talked to Izzo about their open coaching job before hiring Tom Thibodeau last week. Trustee Joel Ferguson told the Tribune: "Tom thought he could get the job" with the Bulls. Izzo's flirtation with the Bulls aside, at least some Spartans seem worried it will turn into a yes this time. A difference in the two jobs, in addition to the possibility James would re-sign, is that the Cavs have a larger budget for their coaching position. Gilbert has offered Izzo at least $6 million a year to leave East Lansing after 15 highly-successful seasons. Thibodeau signed a three-year contract worth a reported $6.5 million with just two years guaranteed. The chance to make significantly more money plus work for someone, in Gilbert, who Izzo knows seems to be getting him to consider the Cavs more deeply. The entire ordeal, though, is applying stress to Michigan State and the uncertainty may also be affecting recruiting efforts. It seemed to boil over a bit on Wednesday when athletic director Mark Hollis issued a terse statement attacking the media for the coverage of Izzo's potential departure. "There have been many ridiculous reports," Hollis said in the statement. "I'm angry at the impact they have on student-athletes, coaches, wives and children, and other people at universities and organizations. Tom Izzo is the head basketball coach at Michigan State University." However, Michigan State has acknowledged the Cavs are interested. The Cavs have said they're interested. Izzo has declined to comment or dismiss the speculation. Now his players are concerned they are losing their coach. Which is why the Cavs might just be close to getting theirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kosher Ham Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Waiting to see what LeBron will do I assume. To me if I were LeBron I would not want to play for Izzo at the pro level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarrellsMyHero28 Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Izzo will fail. LeBron probably won't be coming back, not for a college coach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spjunkies Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 I don't get big time college coaches that maker this move because almost all of them fail hard. I would just stay the big man on campus if I was in his shoes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ixcuincle Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Is he an idiot? He's done so well at MSU. LeBron isn't even guaranteed to be back in Cleveland. That's why you have to admire what Coach K does. That guy gets so many offers from NBA teams, but he stays put. The Lakers called him, he told them to **** off. THE LAKERS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kosher Ham Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Actually I saw something yesterday tv this morniing (maybe mike and mike on the radio), where Coack K said he won't ever coach in the NBA. Why should he ? It would be stupid. Same as Tim Floyd, Rick Pitino, etc. They all fail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Predicto Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 I guess Izzo just wants a new challenge. Hard to criticize a guy for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjcdaman Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Is he an idiot? He's done so well at MSU. LeBron isn't even guaranteed to be back in Cleveland.That's why you have to admire what Coach K does. That guy gets so many offers from NBA teams, but he stays put. The Lakers called him, he told them to **** off. THE LAKERS. Could not agree more. He is at the point of retiring from MSU when HE decides to. Just like Joe Pa at PSU and Coach K at Duke. I don't understand it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ixcuincle Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 You criticize him when nearly every college coach that goes fails. Rick Pitino John Calipari Leonard Hamilton Billy Donovan had a chance for a few days but backed out Mike Montgomery The list is ENDLESS It's a horrible ridiculous idea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhead36 Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 I don't blame Izzo for wanting to try a new challenge, but college coaches are just FAIL at the pros. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Sinister Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 I don't think he's gonna do it. He IS Michigan basketball for christs sake. It just wouldn't seem right without him at MSU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ixcuincle Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 They can move on without him, MSU was successful before him with Heathcote or whatever his name was Will be interesting who replaces him if true...are Lucas and Lucious still there next year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.A.C.O.L.B. Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 It was in passing but I'm pretty sure I just saw on ESPNews right now that Byron Scott was going to be the next coach of the Cavs. Maybe I misheard/saw that. You criticize him when nearly every college coach that goes fails. Rick Pitino John Calipari Leonard Hamilton Billy Donovan had a chance for a few days but backed out Mike Montgomery The list is ENDLESS It's a horrible ridiculous idea I was talking to my bro about this yesterday. We were trying to think of a college coach who successfully made the transition. We couldn't come up with one. Anyone got one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spjunkies Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 It was in passing but I'm pretty sure I just saw on ESPNews right now that Byron Scott was going to be the next coach of the Cavs. Maybe I misheard/saw that. My bad I was thinking about Avery Johnson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
China Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 As an MSU alum and fan I hope he doesn't go. I agree with those who've said that if he does, he will probably fail. There a reason Mike Kryzewski (sp?) hasn't gone, he knows the risk of failure is high and is at the top of his profession where he is. Don't do it Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldskool Posted June 10, 2010 Author Share Posted June 10, 2010 It was in passing but I'm pretty sure I just saw on ESPNews right now that Byron Scott was going to be the next coach of the Cavs. Maybe I misheard/saw that. ESPN has a story that Byron Scott is the fronrunner http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5270166 However the Cavs own website says that Izzo will meet with them tomorrow (see original post edit). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mufumonk Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 It was in passing but I'm pretty sure I just saw on ESPNews right now that Byron Scott was going to be the next coach of the Cavs. Maybe I misheard/saw that.I was talking to my bro about this yesterday. We were trying to think of a college coach who successfully made the transition. We couldn't come up with one. Anyone got one? Larry Brown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjfootballer Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 I think it would be a horrible decision. He has it made at MSU. He gets great recruits and goes to the elite 8/final 4 every year. Not a good career move Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ixcuincle Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 It was in passing but I'm pretty sure I just saw on ESPNews right now that Byron Scott was going to be the next coach of the Cavs. Maybe I misheard/saw that.I was talking to my bro about this yesterday. We were trying to think of a college coach who successfully made the transition. We couldn't come up with one. Anyone got one? There have been, way back in the early history of the NBA...but not in recent memory. As someone pointed out, Larry Brown has gone to the College game and coached in the NBA pretty successfully. I also recall the Lakers signing a WVU coach who didn't do too bad, back in the Jerry West days, although I may be imagining things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD_washingtonredskins Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 I don't think it's fair to knock the guy for wanting to move on to a new challenge. Sure, the safer thing to do would be to continue his successful program at MSU which is probably somewhat on cruise control now (outside of his fantastic coaching). But, true competitors want to succeed at the highest levels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky21 Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 It doesn't matter. No one can turn that beeyotch LeBron James into a champion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ixcuincle Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Staying with MSU MSU fans rejoice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kosher Ham Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Meaning LeBron is gone ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Predicto Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Staying with MSUMSU fans rejoice They should. As long as Izzo is there, MSU will be a force in college ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinfan2k Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 guys, the thing is he has accomplished everything at the college level and still can come back if he fails. he is doing it simply for the challenge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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