Tom Izzo Leaving Michigan State Would Be a Tragic Mistake

Tom Izzo is much more than a coach to Michigan State.

He is a legend who has transcended a college basketball program since he took over as head basketball coach in 1995. He is the longest tenured coach currently in the Big Ten, and his success can't be matched.

Rumors have been swirling that there is a strong offer on the table from the Cavaliers that would pay Izzo $5-6 Million annually. If Izzo accepts this job he would have to pay Michigan State $500,000 for leaving, but the money isn't the issue.

Success from college athletics to the NBA is never easy. Just as Rick Pitino and John Calipari experienced. These guys tried to make it big in the NBA but Pitino was much more successful at Kentucky and Lousiville along with Calipari who was at UMass, Memphis, and now Kentucky.

In almost every instance success at the college level comes with hard work and dedication throughout the entire year. There are recruitment battles and NCAA guidelines that must be obeyed when evaluating high school players who want to play college basketball.

With Izzo, his work ethic and character has built Michigan State into the basketball powerhouse it is today.

The shining moment while Izzo has been head coach in East Lansing was cutting down the nets after winning the 2000 National Title. 

Although Izzo only has won one national championship, he has been to SIX Final Fours!

That number can only be matched by the late John Wooden and Duke's Coach K. Those are two incredible coaches to be compared with.

As the test of time continues Izzo is attracted by the Cavaliers job. The possibility of being able to coach LeBron James is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The only problem is there is no guarantee as free agency begins.

Yes, there is a strong chance Lebron goes back to Cleveland, but the supporting cast around him is still nothing superior.

Not to mention, Izzo has no professional basketball coaching experience as far as the NBA game is concerned. The closest he has come was coaching Team USA in the Pan-Am Games back in 2003.

That worries me, because the NBA style is vastly changing and is very different from college basketball. The other scary part of Izzo coaching th Cavaliers is that he is known for coaching a team that plays tough defense and hits the boards hard.

Rebounding and defense are two components of the game, that the NBA takes in a different light. At the same time how many professional players are going to buy into Izzo's system?

Remember these aren't high school kids away from home for the first time. These are grown men making millions of dollars who feel they can do whatever they want.

Tom Izzo please stay at Michigan State. Our level of success and ability to establish and win year in and year out is something special.

Sure the money is better in the NBA, and there's speculation that Izzo has always eyed an NBA job, but is it worth risking everything you've accomplished in the college ranks.

There's no going back to Michigan State if you fail to win with the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Last time I checked Cleveland hasn't had a winning championship team since 1964.  That's over 45 years!

Leaving Michigan State now would be a tragic mistake.

College coaches who make the leap to the NBA are made to fail. Don't fall into that trap. 

Michigan State loves Tom Izzo too much to see him jump ship to the NBA.

Does Izzo love Michigan State that much?

That's one that only Coach Izzo can give the final decision on.