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Michigan State Basketball: 5 potential eventual replacements for Tom Izzo

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State's head coach Tom Izzo, right, talks with Nebraska's head coach Fred Hoiberg before the game on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.210206 Msu Neb 029a
Michigan State's head coach Tom Izzo, right, talks with Nebraska's head coach Fred Hoiberg before the game on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.210206 Msu Neb 029a /
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Feb 2, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) reacts after a foul call during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) reacts after a foul call during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Draymond Green

This one might surprise some people because Draymond Green is still playing in the NBA, but he’s 31 years old and in 6-7 years, or so, he may be contemplating retirement and that could mean his next endeavor is in East Lansing, taking over for the man who gave him his start. Him and Tom Izzo have a great relationship and you can bet he would have the Hall of Fame coach’s blessing.

Let’s say Izzo coaches until Draymond is 38 or 39 years old, who would say no to having the former All-American back in East Lansing as a head coach?

We’ve seen him act like a coach to his teammates at Golden State and he’s a leader both by example and vocally. He would immediately command respect from players but he’d also connect with them and be one of the best recruiters in the country.

Look at what Juwan Howard has done at Michigan. He had some assistant coaching experience in the NBA and was a former player and he’s already been named national coach of the year with the Wolverines. He’s living proof that freshly-retired former players can have a ton of success because players love them and they have a ton of knowledge on what works nowadays.

Draymond would be a great replacement for Izzo — or maybe even the coach after Izzo.

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