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Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo reveals he "talked seriously" with Suns majority owner Mat Ishbia about the head coaching position last summer. The Suns ultimately hired Jordan Ott, but Izzo admits he was tempted to join Ishbia in Phoenix. Ishbia, a walk-on for Izzo’s national championship team in 2000, made the opportunity difficult to resist.
"I have had more than a couple of job offers in the NBA and looked at one last year with Phoenix," Izzo stated on "The Dan Patrick Show." He noted the challenge of turning down the offer, saying, "I kind of wanted to go with him." When asked if the Suns officially offered him the role, he responded, "We talked seriously about it, let's say that."
At 71, Izzo has led Michigan State since the 1995-96 season, becoming the all-time winningest coach in Big Ten history. The Hall of Famer has taken the Spartans to 28 consecutive NCAA tournaments, including eight Final Fours. Previously, he considered NBA positions with the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers but remains focused on winning his second national championship.
The Suns' roster features numerous Michigan State connections, including Ott and general manager Brian Gregory, both former Spartans.
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