At times, he’s as appreciated as an IRS auditor.

The program’s expectations are on the same level as North Carolina, UCLA and Duke — each of which hasn’t seen a blizzard since the days of John Wooden.

His prized recruits have made a habit of bolting early (I still haven’t forgiven you, Marcus Taylor), resulting in four-year recruits who struggle against the Derrick Roses and Kevin Loves of the college world.

But will Izzo leave the windy grounds of MSU for the Windy City?

Don’t bet on it.

There’s never been anything flashy about Tom Izzo. His best friend is a guy he has known since his days as a Yooper and he has worked at the same university for more than two decades.

In a fantastic Detroit Free Press profile, Izzo said he’s “the guy next door” who will “never big-time anybody.”

In Chicago, you can’t not big-time anybody if you expect to succeed.

The only coach to win an NCAA and NBA championship, former Detroit Pistons head man Larry Brown, was so keen on big-timing everybody that two teams paid his ego to walk through the exit door. Other college coaches who have tried to make the jump, such as Rick Pitino, Tim Floyd, Lon Kruger and John Calipari, have all failed for one reason or another.

And if Izzo thinks he’s hit the boiling point in East Lansing, imagine life in Chicago:

Think Goran Suton is difficult to coach? Meet the constantly scowling Joakim Noah.

Think Spartans fans are spoiled? Try Larry Hughes’ $13 million per year contract.

Think Idong Ibok is a strange name?

Ladies and gentlemen, Thabo Sefolosha.

Think Lou Anna K. is a difficult boss? Have fun with Jerry Reinsdorf (who, ironically, possibly could pass for Simon’s fraternal twin).

While Izzo said he goes back and forth on coaching in the NBA, the fact is that he likely won’t buck his personality, which would be necessary for the Bulls.

Izzo seems to be an in-your-face teacher who lives for rare players like Travis Walton and Mateen Cleaves, which he will struggle to find among the multimillionaires of the NBA (it’s tough to imagine Tyrus Thomas having the same heart as the classic Izzo warriors).

When it comes down to crunch time, professionals don’t react to the Izzo face (you know, the one where he looks heartbroken, confused and constipated at the same time) the same way Kalin Lucas will.

It’s not to say Izzo wouldn’t be up for the challenge. It’s just that if he did leave and the tradition of college coaches jumping to the NBA holds true, he’d probably be left swimming with the fishes in Chicago in a couple of years.

Realistically speaking, Izzo is better suited as a big fish in Lake Lansing than as a small one in Lake Michigan.

He’ll always be the guy who’s just as likely to be seen on the sidelines as a charity event, the guy who isn’t afraid to get choked up after captivating wins and devastating losses.

Izzo will always be the guy next door.