Michigan State Basketball: Mike Garland steps into deserved retirement

Michigan State basketball is losing another important assistant coach, but Mike Garland is stepping into a deserved retirement.

For the second time this offseason, Michigan State basketball is down an assistant coach.

Back in April, Dwayne Stephens left to take the head coaching job at Western Michigan and Tom Izzo just filled that role with Thomas Kelley.

Now, about a week later, Mike Garland has retired.

https://twitter.com/MSU_Basketball/status/1534964095551606785?s=20&t=YnUMrAu3p1SEXiTp6kR4eQ

Garland had been an assistant at Michigan State for 22 years and he finally decided it was time for retirement after riding with Izzo through the highs and lows. He’s been to Final Fours and won a national title with the Spartans before taking the head coaching job at Cleveland State for three years and then moving into an assistant role with SMU.

Michigan State brought him back in 2007 and the Spartans saw another golden era.

Players flocked to Garland, calling him OG, and he’s been considered one of the most respected assistant coaches in the country. He had plenty of experience and always seemed to balance Izzo out quite a bit and connect with his players.

Izzo was obviously sad about the news but totally understood, releasing a statement on Thursday.

Garland’s son has had health issues and he’s had to even spend time right before and after games and practices in hospitals with him. Chances are his son’s health is the main reason for this sudden retirement, but he accomplished plenty in the college basketball landscape and felt it was time to be with family.

It’s sad to see him go, but I’m sure he’ll spend plenty of time around the program still.