Head coach Tom Izzo walks off the court at Breslin Center on Sunday night after addressing the crowd at the Final Four pep rally.
After weeks of speculation that men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo might leave MSU for the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, confirmation has come he will remain at the university.
MSU Sports Information has confirmed an 8:30 p.m. press conference Tuesday evening where Izzo will announce he has turned down the Cavs coaching offer.
Izzo, MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon and Athletics Director Mark Hollis will speak at the press conference, which is being held at the Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center.
“It’s been an agonizing week as I tried to make a decision about a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Izzo said in a statement. “I apologize for the time the process has taken, but sometimes there are opportunities that come about that must be thoroughly examined. … And I’m pleased to say I am here for life at Michigan State.”
Hollis expressed his enthusiasm for Izzo’s decision, and thanked the community for its support in a statement.
“I’d like to thank the students, alumni and fans of Michigan State University for their concerns and thoughts,” Hollis said. “This has been (an) anxious process for everyone and their support and patience was much appreciated by everyone.”
In a statement, Simon said Izzo is an “integral” part of MSU, and the wait for an announcement has been worth it.
“Tom did what Tom does best: he devised a rigorous and thorough game plan that put him, his family, and this university in the best position to win,” Simon said. “His decision is a winner for all of Team MSU, the state of Michigan, college basketball, and intercollegiate athletics in general.”
Keep checking statenews.com for updates.
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