Tom Izzo's Renewed Vow to Michigan State and Impact On Spartan Football

Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis called the Tom Izzo media circus a "unique situation" on WDFN 1330 on Wednesday.

That doesn't encompass the true magnitude of Cleveland's courtship of perhaps the greatest active coach in college today, but it will suffice.

Hollis shared his thoughts about Izzo's decision-making process from his perspective.

Of course, it's a little easier to talk about it now that Izzo is staying put. But Hollis seemed relieved that it was over.

MSU's athletic director said—among other things—that Izzo had to make the toughest choice of his 55-year-old life.

That was a given. To leave a program you have been involved with since 1983 would break even the strongest-willed man.

Izzo has won 364 games while at the helm of the basketball team.

Word is he's been to a couple Final Fours, too.

Hollis spoke of the tradition and the legacy that Izzo has established. He also touched on the legend to come.

He said that the option to stay in East Lansing could likely catapult Izzo into exclusive company with legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, Syracuse's Jim Boeheim and former North Carolina head man Dean Smith.

That's as good as it gets in the college ranks. And Hollis stated that's what Izzo wanted.

The lure of the NBA couldn't cause Izzo's love for Michigan State to waver. He's an emotional guy, and it showed in his press conference, which aired on the Big Ten Network last night.

It would be easy to pack facts and figures about the deal. The why-he-should-have-done-its. But we've all read about that.

His roots are why he stayed. Nothing more, nothing less.

Izzo found himself in front of family. His home family, and his family that is the Spartan Nation, while standing at the podium in the Clara Bell Smith Center on Tuesday evening.

The tears in his eyes, and the strain in his voice said more than his press release ever could.

Hollis and Izzo have joined together and made a vow to Spartan athletics. The duo wants to make the program one of the nation's elite, and not just on the basketball court.

That's good news for football coach Mark Dantonio.

Dantonio has labored to bring the ailing club back to its once nationally recognized, prestigious form during his MSU tenure. He has landed top-tier recruits, beat Michigan and coached the Spartans to three consecutive bowl games.

With Izzo staying, Dantonio has power behind his program. The family atmosphere that has made Spartan basketball wildly successful over the last decade-and-a-half could easily rub off on Dantonio's men.

And that is invaluable on a multitude of levels.

Two teams, working together for a common good, could lead the university to majestic peaks not seen in years.

The glory of the 1960s MSU football squads, the Duffy Days, have not been forgotten. For those who experienced the good old days, the talk about MSU vs. Notre Dame — "The Game of the Century" — still brings back fond memories.

Although the contest was played well over 40 years ago and resulted in a 10-10 tie in 1966, it's a reminder of where the football program used to be. Due to the NCAA's rules at the time, the Spartans weren't allowed to play in the Rose Bowl, or any bowl, for that matter.

But they were still crowned national champions by several media outlets and publications.

Izzo, who is a self-proclaimed football fanatic, entertained the idea of taking over the football program in 2006.

It's been 22 years since the Spartans, led by Bobby McAllister and Andre Rison, beat the USC Trojans 20-17 in the 1988 Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Izzo's work ethic will seep over to Spartan Stadium. His program's success will inspire the men on the gridiron.

The character values instilled in the basketball players will penetrate the locker room at football practices.

Michigan State's proud football tradition can be restored, with a little help from a not so unlikely hand.

Coach Izzo.