Spartan Hoopla: If Tom Izzo Leaves Michigan State, Will Brian Gregory Take Over?

Michigan State basketball fans are sitting on the edge of their seats, crossing their fingers, and looking to the sky for answers right about now.

And for good reason.

Michigan State's 15-year veteran coach Tom Izzo has reportedly done more than entertain the thought of leaving East Lansing for the Cleveland Cavaliers—he's discussed a contract with the club's ownership.

If Mr. March, who is more of an institution than basketball coach, was to vacate his spot as the college hoops guru of the Midwest, who would replace him?

The name Brian Gregory has been mentioned—in passing—but it has come up.

Gregory, who was Izzo's assistant from 1999-2003, coached the Dayton Flyers to an NIT win over defending national champion North Carolina in March.

He has been the head man in Dayton since 2003, and would be a suitable replacement for Izzo, should the need arise.

Gregory has established a legacy of his own with the Flyers. He won 125 games in his first six seasons, which is second to legendary Flyer coach Don Donoher's 130.

It would be safe to say that Mario Moccia, who is the Flyers' Athletic Director, would lock his coach down with an unprecedented contract to avoid losing him.

That's what Michigan State's AD Mark Hollis should have done with Izzo years ago.

"I've always said that it's an honor to be the head basketball coach at the University of Dayton," Gregory said in an interview that is posted on Dayton Flyers.com.

"It's a special place and a perfect fit for myself and my family."

Gregory's comment isn't connected to Izzo's situation. But it does echo what Izzo has said about East Lansing and Michigan State in the past.

But even loyal coaches can be lured if the bait is tempting enough.

Gregory was reportedly intrigued by the coaching vacancy at Iowa after Todd Lickliter was fired.

"Although I believe Gregory likes his position at UD and certainly loves his players, I think he’s a Big Ten man at heart," Tom Archdeacon wrote on his Dayton Daily News blog March 25.

"He spent 10 years as an assistant at Michigan State and Northwestern—and, knowing him, I think the Iowa job would interest him."

If he was interested in a position with Hawkeyes, than a spot with one of the nation's elite programs would likely send him into a frenzied state of being.

Usually, the speculation about Izzo's departure never gets to this point.

He's offered a job. Fans stop breathing. He denies the rumors and retains his position. Fans rejoice. The Spartans go to the Final Four, and the cycle begins at the end of the season.

It's predictable.

But this time it's different.