Michigan State Basketball: How many years does Tom Izzo have left?

What an offseason it’s been for college basketball. Two goliaths in the coaching world have announced they’ll be hanging up the clipboard and riding off into the sunset.

First, it was North Carolina legend Roy Williams who retired shortly after the season which shocked everyone but opened the door for former player Hubert Davis to take over. And then legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski announced he would be coaching his final season in 2021-22 — yes, there will be a farewell tour whether we like it or not.

Two aging coaches decided to call it a career and enjoy retirement when it looked like they’d be coaching forever just a couple of years ago.

That had to make Michigan State fans wonder about Tom Izzo’s timeline.

Coach K will be 75 by the time he retires, Williams is 70 years old, and Izzo will be 67 in January. For a while, it seemed like 70 would be that age when Izzo really contemplated retirement, but with Coach K and Williams gone, many fans worry that his timeline may be expedited

So how much time do I believe Izzo truly has left?

A realistic Tom Izzo timeline

Many have speculated that Izzo may retire when his son graduates from Michigan State and moves on from the basketball program. It would make sense, but I just don’t think that Steven Izzo’s departure would spell the end of the Izzo era.

If Steven was a star player and magically led Michigan State to a Final Four or national title, then I would get it, but there’s a decent chance he will join the staff as a grad assistant following his playing career so it’s not like he’ll be completely gone — that’s my theory. I think When Steven graduates in a couple of years, Izzo will be close, but that won’t be the end.

I see Tom (who admitted he got a second wind a couple of years ago) coaching this season (2021-22) and next season (2022-23) and then 2-3 more seasons after that. I actually see him coaching until 2025-26 and then hanging it up following that year. And no farewell tour for him.

Some thing he only has 2-3 years left but I’d lean more toward 4-5.

Maybe I’m crazy, but I don’t think he’ll retire without another few shots at national title No. 2.