Finnan: Cavaliers Offer Tom Izzo Contract

[Spectre]

Source: Cavs have made offer to Michigan State's Izzo

By Bob Finnan
RFinnan@News-Herald.com

The Cavaliers have offered their coaching vacancy to Michigan State’s Tom Izzo, according to a source.

The Cavaliers want to make a big splash with their next coaching hire.

According to a league source, they are centering their efforts on bringing in Michigan State coach Tom Izzo.

In fact, they've already made him an offer to be their coach, the source said. It's going to take a lot of money to convince Izzo to leave the confines of the college ranks.

Izzo, 55, is a four-time national Coach of the Year. Under his leadership, the Spartans captured the 2000 NCAA title, won or shared six Big Ten crowns and two conference tournament championships.

His teams have been to the Final Four six times and to the NCAA tournament 13 years in a row.

The Cavs' recruiting efforts have been done behind the scenes. The source said Cavs owner Dan Gilbert wants Izzo desperately.

"He has been talked about before in this way and will be again," Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis told The Associated Press when Izzo's name was linked to an opening at the University of Oregon. "We have to consider that part of the deal when you have the best college basketball coach in the country. I talk to him all the time and I know he is totally focused on winning another national championship and taking the program to a higher level."

Izzo, who makes an estimated $3 million a year, is under contract at Michigan State through 2016.

He has some great qualities as a coach, starting with the fact he's a high-character guy. His in-your-face style, though, might not work in the NBA.

He's fiery and very explosive at times. Izzo demands his players compete, hustle and play defense.

All that works well in the college ranks, but it might not translate into professional basketball, where some of the players make $15 million to $20 million a season.

Gilbert graduated from Michigan State and holds Izzo in high regard. Many of the Cleveland-area media outlets had Izzo on their coaching wish lists when Mike Brown was fired on May 23. Yahoo! Sports reported on Sunday Izzo is the Cavs' No. 1 priority, and that was confirmed by The News-Herald.

Most of the college coaches who have come to the NBA have failed.

The Cavs might think they need a coach of Izzo's stature to help re-sign free-agent-to-be LeBron James.

Gilbert said last Friday that he hopes to have a coach in place by July 1, the first day of free agency. He said that might not be possible.

 

[MDLT]

Re: Official Cleveland Cavaliers New Coach Speculation Thread

Hey, I'm down with Izzo if it means keeping LeBron. I'm on board with Gilbert until he screws up.

 

[bucksprime99]

Re: Official Cleveland Cavaliers New Coach Speculation Thread

This is PERFECT.

Jay Z will LOVE this move.

LeBron is staying FOR SURE.

H to the...you know...and all that.

 

[Matt S]

Re: Official Cleveland Cavaliers New Coach Speculation Thread

Most of the college coaches who have come to the NBA have failed.

So true, and concerns me on an epic level.

 

[johnnycake44022]

Re: Official Cleveland Cavaliers New Coach Speculation Thread

What evidence do we have that this will improve the signing of Lebron? Rookie GM and now a rookie Coach who has worked with college kids his whole career. I think we would be much better off with a coach with NBA experience and that would entice Lebron more than a guy from the Big 10. Not sure I like this move in terms of keeping James. Now, if James is gone, I don't think it's a terrible risk if we are going towards a youth movement.

 

[NarlCavs]

Re: Official Cleveland Cavaliers New Coach Speculation Thread

I'm an Izzo fan and believe he's the best coach in college basketball. Not really interested in having him as coach of the Cavs though.
Still not a fan at all of hiring a college coach with no experience in the pros as the Cavs next head coach. College and pro are two different games that require a different mindset and different style.
I'd even prefer an NBA assistant over a college coach.

I'd be surprised if Izzo left Michigan St. for the NBA.

 

[gourimoko]

Re: Official Cleveland Cavaliers New Coach Speculation Thread

Would've preferred Shaw or Scott... meh, I really don't know much about Izzo. Can anybody enlighten this conversation with some info? Anybody watched this guy coach for a significant number of games?

 

[Radar]

Re: Official Cleveland Cavaliers New Coach Speculation Thread

Can someone explain to me the type of coach Izzo is?

 

[TheISHT]

Re: Cavalier's Offer Tom Izzo Contract

WTF?

 

[Snowblind]

Re: Official Cleveland Cavaliers New Coach Speculation Thread

Can someone explain to me the type of coach Izzo is?

He's a college coach....






:chuckles:

 

[Silky Smooth]

Re: Official Cleveland Cavaliers New Coach Speculation Thread

The guy is 55 years old and has been a college coach his whole career. There's a reason he hasnt been an NBA coach yet. I really know nothing about Izzo but i hope this is all

 

[*L-Train*]

Re: Cavalier's Offer Tom Izzo Contract

WojYahooNBA

Despite published report, two sources close to MIchigan State's Tom Izzo say the Cavs still haven't made him an offer. "Not yet," one said.

via yahoo twitter

 

[Tony_The_Calf]

Re: Cavalier's Offer Tom Izzo Contract

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo sports is debunking this report via twitter

Despite published report, two sources close to MIchigan State's Tom Izzo say the Cavs still haven't made him an offer. "Not yet," one said.

 

[BigBrad43]

Re: Official Cleveland Cavaliers New Coach Speculation Thread

I wonder if Izzo does take the job he calls on Eric Snow to be one of his top ast. coachs? I know from reading in the past that Izzo and Snow are close. I read before Izzo tried to get Snow to come to MSU to be on the Spartan coaching staff. Something to think about.

 

[udilicious42584]

Re: Cavalier's Offer Tom Izzo Contract

V to the izzay!