ESPN REPORT: Tom Izzo Stuns College Basketball World, Rejects $7.5 Million Offers from Georgia, Notre Dame to Stay at Michigan State: “I Have No Plans Beyond Being the Spartan Head Coach”
In a dramatic turn that reaffirmed loyalty over legacy-chasing, Michigan State’s iconic head basketball coach Tom Izzo delivered a resounding message to the college basketball world this morning: he’s not going anywhere.
Multiple sources confirmed to ESPN that both the University of Georgia and Notre Dame made formal offers exceeding $7.5 million annually to lure the Naismith Hall of Famer away from East Lansing. However, Izzo—who has coached the Spartans for nearly three decades—flatly rejected the offers, reaffirming his lifelong commitment to the Michigan State program.
At a hastily called press conference inside the Breslin Center, Izzo, visibly emotional, stood before a crowd of reporters, current players, and MSU alumni and made his intentions clear.
> “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I bleed green,” Izzo said. “Michigan State isn’t just where I coach—it’s who I am. I have no plans beyond being the Spartan head coach.”
The offers, according to sources, were among the most lucrative ever proposed to a sitting head coach in college basketball. Georgia reportedly pitched a complete program overhaul, including full control over athletic staff hires and a $25 million facility upgrade. Notre Dame, with its rich academic tradition and national spotlight, added a legacy-building angle, hoping to make Izzo the face of a new era for their basketball program.
But in the end, none of it could match what Izzo already has: a deep-rooted legacy, a fan base that reveres him, and a family—both literal and figurative—that he helped build from the hardwood up.
Izzo’s decision was met with overwhelming praise from former players, including Draymond Green, Mateen Cleaves, and Jaren Jackson Jr., who flooded social media with messages of support.
> “Coach Izzo is MSU. Simple as that,” Green tweeted. “He’s not just a coach—he’s a father figure, a mentor, a legend. Respect.”
Izzo has compiled an astounding career résumé, including a national championship (2000), eight Final Four appearances, and over 700 career wins. But it’s his unwavering dedication to player development and academic excellence that have become hallmarks of the program. Over 90% of his players have graduated, and many have gone on to successful careers in and out of basketball.
MSU Athletic Director Alan Haller confirmed that the university had recently restructured Izzo’s contract to reflect his value, though Izzo reportedly turned down a raise.
> “Tom told us, ‘Don’t talk dollars, talk direction,’” Haller said. “He’s committed to the players, the fans, and to finishing what he started here.”
Fans in East Lansing took to the streets in celebration, with spontaneous chants of “I-Z-Z-O” erupting outside the Breslin Center and along Grand River Avenue. Local businesses lit up their marquees in green and white with messages like “Still Our Coach” and “Loyalty Lives Here.”
Izzo’s wife, Lupe, and children Rocky and Steven, were present at the announcement. His daughter Raquel “Rocky” Izzo McDonald, who co-leads the Izzo Legacy Family Fund, posted on Instagram:
> “Home is where the heart is. And for Dad, that heart beats Spartan green.”
As the 2025 season approaches, Izzo’s commitment sends a clear signal not only to recruits and fans but to the entire college basketball community: Michigan State remains a powerhouse under the leadership of one of the greatest to ever do it.
In an age of high-dollar transfers and rapid coaching exits, Tom Izzo’s loyalty is now as legendary as his playbook.
—End of an Offer, Start of a Statement.
