With the defections of assistant coach Mike Garland (Cleveland State) and associate head coach Brian Gregory (Dayton) for head-coaching jobs, MSU head coach Tom Izzo is in search of two replacements.

Izzo said his challenge will be to replace two monumental parts of his staff and two close friends.

"Those two guys are 66 percent of my staff," he said. "This is an important hire for me. It's one of those times that I've got to be selfish."

Izzo said his phone has been ringing off the hook with interest in the jobs, but he hasn't focused anyone specifically.

The list of possible replacements include, but are not limited to: Daimon Beathea (a MSU player from 1992-96), Jim Boylen (a NBA assistant coach for the Houston Rockets and a former MSU assistant coach from 1987-92), Dwayne Stephens (a current Marquette assistant coach and former MSU player 1990-1993) and Doug Wojcik (an assistant coach under former North Carolina head coach Matt Doherty).

"I've got nobody that I'm really ready to offer the job to," Izzo said. "I'm looking for character, loyalty, work ethic and in this case, someone who can coach too. Experience at this level is a bonus."

Chris Mackinder