Izzo turned down a chance to perhaps double his salary and possibly coach LeBron James in the NBA, choosing to stick with the Spartans to chase NCAA championships.
“The grass is pretty green here,” Izzo said Tuesday night at a news conference.
Izzo acknowledged that being unable to speak with James played a part in his life- and career-altering decision.
“That was not the only factor,” he said. “Was it a big factor? Sure.”
For the past nine days, Izzo has been trying to decide whether to leave the place that has been his home since 1983 and jump to the league to perhaps make $6 million — up from $3 million he’s making — and potentially coach one of the best basketball players in the world.
“I hope that our fans will appreciate and understand that I didn’t do it, as some said for publicity,” Izzo said. “I don’t think I’d hold it against somebody that looked at other opportunities before making a decision.”
Izzo, vowed, however he would not flirt with another suitor — a decade after declining a contract to coach the Atlanta Hawks — by saying he would be a “lifer” at the school.
“If I didn’t look, I’d always wonder,” he said. “The first time I looked, I was a rookie. This time I looked a little big more diligently. I had to do my investigative work that was difficult.”
In other words, he couldn’t get even a hint from James about what his plans are for next month.
James’ uncertain future will make for a difficult decision for any prospective Cavs coach. He is unlikely to tip his hand publicly before free agency begins July 1.
Izzo’s decision ends a nearly two-week courtship by Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, who was hoping a reported five-year $30 million contract would be enough to land him, and perhaps show James he intends to remake the Cavs following a bitter postseason loss.
“I had no contract offer,” Izzo said. “I had some parameters that I talked to him about.”
Gilbert seemed to take the setback in stride.
“The entire Cleveland Cavalier organization has nothing but respect and admiration for coach Izzo and his family,” Gilbert said in a statement. “Tom is a special person in so many unique and positive ways. We only wish great things for him and his family in all the years ahead.”
Izzo didn’t seem at ease as he walked into his news conference along with his wife, Lupe, Michigan State president Lou Anna Simon and athletic director Mark Hollis.
He kept his head down when Simon made her opening remarks, sipping water, tapping his feet and fidgeting with his fingers and rubbing his hands.
This past season, Izzo led the Spartans to the Final Four for the sixth time in 12 years. Only the late John Wooden at UCLA and Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski also have done that.
“It’s a great day, knowing he’s coming back,” said Mateen Cleaves , perhaps Izzo’s favorite player and one of the stars from his 2000 national championship team. “It put the biggest smile on my face to know he’s coming back.”
Izzo’s snub has further tangled a tricky summer for the Cavaliers, who are weeks away from knowing if James will be back with them.
Since losing to Boston in the second round of the playoffs, Gilbert fired Mike Brown, the most successful coach in team history; general manager Danny Ferry left after deciding not to renew his contract following five banner years; and now Izzo, a friend of Gilbert’s, doesn’t want to be in the Cavs’ future.
James’ decision hangs over all of it. Without knowing if he’ll return, the Cavs’ pursuit of a coach has been nearly impossible. They can’t promise candidates that No. 23 — soon to be No. 6 — will be around to make another run at a title.
The Cavs were adamant that James would not be consulted during their coaching search. Even if a coach had talked to the two-time MVP, he wasn’t going to reveal his plans before hitting the free-agent market with an All-Star class that includes fellow Olympians Dwyane Wadeand Chris Bosh.
Cleveland’s next option appears to be Byron Scott, who spent an hour on the phone last week with Cavs GM Chris Grant and assistant Lance Blanks. Scott may not be a slam-dunk backup plan for the Cavs because the former New Jersey and New Orleans coach would be interested in the Los Angeles job if Phil Jackson retires.
Scott won three titles playing for the Lakers and has dreamed of coaching in LA. He had an “out clause” built into his contract with the Nets so he could pursue the Lakers’ job if it ever opened. He also loves the West Coast after being fired by the Hornets and might seriously listen to the Clippers if they’re interested in him.
The Cavs also have contacted Milwaukee assistant Kelvin Sampson and former Atlanta coach and Cavs assistant Mike Woodson. The team could bring one of both of them in for interviews, but may wait until after they have a better sense of James’ next off-the-floor move.
