Spartan Avenue
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Mar 5, 2020; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg watches during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2020; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg watches during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Fred Hoiberg

This is one of the more underrated names pertaining to the eventual Michigan State opening and it’d be tough to find anyone who would be upset with hiring Fred Hoiberg after Tom Izzo.

After a stellar playing career with Iowa State (where his No. 32 is retired) and a decent stint in the NBA, Hoiberg took over the Cyclones as head coach in 2010. It was a bit of an interesting hire because he had no head coaching experience prior, but he was beloved in Ames and it instantly paid major dividends.

The Cyclones struggled in his first season, going just 16-16, but they then made four straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including making the Sweet 16 in 2013-14 during a 28-8 season. He finished his Iowa State coaching career with a 115-56 record, two conference tournament titles and he had at least 23 wins in each of his final four seasons there. He was also named Big 12 Coach of the Year in 2012.

Hoiberg left for the NBA and went 115-155 in three-plus seasons with the Bulls before parting ways and heading back to the college ranks.

During his year off between the Bulls job and taking the Nebraska position, Hoiberg spent a lot of time around Tom Izzo learning his style and spending time with the program. His son, Jack, was also a walk-on for the Spartans before entering the transfer portal this offseason.

Hoiberg knows what it takes to win at the college level and in the right position, he has shown he can win plenty. If he can be one of the best coaches in the country at Iowa State, imagine what he could do in East Lansing.

Home/Spartans Basketball