College sports are certainly at a massive crossroads, so to speak. At least at Michigan State University. While the football program has fallen to the wayside after two questionable coaching hires, Michigan State basketball has remained the standard.
Why is that? Two words: Tom Izzo.
As Izzo prepares to begin his 31st season as the head coach of Michigan State, fans are always speculating how much longer he will do this. Every year, there have been coaches younger than Izzo who have stepped away from the game.
Jay Wright retired from Villanova after the 2021-22 season, and they fell by the wayside, Tony Bennett left Virginia high and dry before the season in 2024-25, and we just saw Auburn's Bruce Pearl step away.
Thus, the yearly talking points for Izzo are alive and well — how much longer is he going to stick around?
Despite that, Izzo's more than ready to go at it again. Winning the Big Ten last season by three games, and then reaching the Elite Eight, was certainly a major reason to stick around.
Obviously Izzo has seen plenty in his 30-plus years, and this day and age it hasn't gotten any easier with the transfer portal and NIL. However, Izzo certainly seems to have found some rejuvenation and and the drive to win that second national title — that has long been elusive — is very much still alive.
If that isn't enough to prove he's not going anywhere yet, his drive to recruit at the high school level certainly should silence some of the talking heads in the college basketball world. The drive is there, and if truth be told, only Tom Izzo knows when it's time.
When that time comes, turning back to football for a minute, the Spartans cannot let the program drop off the earth like football has since Mark Dantonio retired. Knowing Izzo, he won't let that happen. Jud Heathcote named him his successor, so the same should be expected of Izzo when that time comes.