Staying A Spartan: Tom Izzo's Best Decision Was Staying at Michigan State
June 16, 2010
Tom Izzo made one of the biggest decisions in his life on Tuesday, and one that kept Spartan nation on high alert.
No need to worry though, Izzo made the best decision after all.
The Michigan St. Spartans head coach declined the head coaching job of the Cleveland Cavaliers, a day after where him and Lebron did not meet face to face.
Whether that was the final touch on Izzo's decision remains to be seen, but in the end I like the decision.
I think Izzo is, and always will be a college coach. The atmosphere is so different between college basketball and the NBA, and it's not like Izzo is with a program that's on the decline.
His Spartans made to the Final Four two years in a row, and bring back nearly their entire roster.
2010 may be the year Izzo finally gets the national championship he has been waiting for.
Most importantly, we learned a lot about Izzo's character. The offer Cleveland gave him would have doubled his salary, and possibly the chance to coach Lebron James (if he returns).
To be honest, I was getting the feeling that Izzo was ready to become the next Cavalier's head coach.
He took quite a long time to make his decision, but maybe he wanted to take extra time to make the best choice for him and his family.
However, this may go deeper than we will ever know. Would Izzo have accepted the job if him and Lebron talked?
Does Izzo sense the "King" is not returning to Cleveland, thus a face-to-face meeting was never scheduled?
That may just be the reason. Izzo would regret it every day if he took the Cleveland job and Lebron never returned in the end.
It doesn't matter who coaches the team. Lebron needs another superstar around him, not an old Shaq or an overrated Antwan Jamison.
Besides, if Lebron wins the championship, does anyone think Izzo would get credit, despite his reputation of being a great coach?
Instead, Izzo is the king of the Michigan St program, and a year from now he may be the one laughing with a national title added to his name.
Matt Miselis is a Featured Columnist for BleacherReport.com.
Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/MattMiselis