Tom Izzo is a household name in college basketball—a Hall of Famer, a national champion, and the face of Michigan State hoops for nearly three decades. But here’s the uncomfortable question Spartan fans don’t want to ask: Is it time for Izzo to step aside?
Yes, he brought glory to East Lansing. But in recent years, the magic has faded. Michigan State hasn’t reached a Final Four since 2019, and the team’s performance has been erratic at best. While other programs are adapting to the modern era—embracing NIL, the transfer portal, and positionless basketball—Izzo seems stuck in the past, loyal to an outdated system that once worked but now falls short.
Worse, his old-school, tough-love coaching style, once praised as gritty and inspirational, now feels tone-deaf in an age of mental health awareness and athlete empowerment. Critics say he’s lost touch with the new generation of players—and maybe, with reality.
So here’s the real debate: Is Tom Izzo still building champions, or just clinging to the legacy of one?
