CBS NEWS: East Lansing, MI — Game-Changing Roster Move as HC Tom Izzo Adds Former Legendary Big Ten Head Coach to Michigan State Spartans Staff
June 26, 2025 — East Lansing, MI
In a bold and unexpected offseason move that’s shaking up the college basketball landscape, Michigan State University’s Hall of Fame head coach Tom Izzo has added a colossal name to his coaching staff: former Big Ten rival and legendary head coach Bruce Weber.
Weber, who led both Illinois and Kansas State to national prominence during his decorated 40-year coaching career, is coming out of retirement to serve as the Spartans’ new Special Advisor for Strategy and Development. The move unites two of the most respected minds in college basketball and signals Michigan State’s renewed push toward another national title run.
Izzo made the announcement Thursday afternoon at the Breslin Center, flanked by Weber and university officials.
“This is about winning—yes—but it’s also about wisdom, mentorship, and legacy,” said Izzo, entering his 30th season with the Spartans. “Bruce knows this conference, knows the pressure, and knows what it takes to get to the Final Four. I couldn’t be more excited to bring a friend, a fierce competitor, and a brilliant basketball mind into our program.”
Weber, 68, retired from Kansas State in 2022 but has remained a visible presence in the game, serving as an analyst for CBS Sports and working with USA Basketball’s junior national teams. Now, he’s ready to step back into the daily grind—this time in a collaborative, behind-the-scenes role with a long-time coaching peer.
“Tom and I battled for years across Big Ten sidelines, but we’ve always respected each other,” Weber said. “When he called with the idea, it didn’t take long for me to say yes. This is about giving back to the game, working with young athletes, and helping a great program reach even greater heights.”
Weber’s role will involve opponent scouting, practice consulting, and player development support. While NCAA rules limit non-bench staff involvement during games, sources close to the program say Weber’s presence will be “felt daily” in meetings, film rooms, and on the practice floor.
The move comes just months after the Spartans advanced to the Elite Eight, falling just short of the Final Four despite boasting one of the nation’s top defenses. With a strong core returning—led by point guard Tylis Jordan and senior forward Malik Carr—plus a top-10 incoming recruiting class, the Spartans are considered early favorites to win the Big Ten in 2025–26.
“This addition isn’t just a headline—it’s a championship move,” said former Spartan and current NBA analyst Draymond Green. “Coach Izzo just added another Hall of Fame brain to the war room. That’s scary for the rest of the country.”
Michigan State Athletic Director Alan Haller praised the partnership as “historic,” noting that few programs could match the combined résumé now assembled in East Lansing.
With over 1,100 career wins, two national championship appearances, and nearly 80 years of coaching experience between them, the Izzo-Weber alliance could mark the beginning of a new chapter in Spartan dominance.
“The banners matter,” Izzo said. “But what matters more is the people you build them with. Bruce Weber is one of those people.”
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