Montgomery was a four-year starter for legendary MSU coach Jud Heathcote and Izzo from 1988-1992. He spent 10 years on Izzo’s staff as an assistant before leaving for the head coaching job at Northern Illinois in 2011. Montgomery returned to his former position as assistant coach for MSU in Oct. 2021. 

Now, the native of Inkster, Michigan, and Aquinas College product, is headed to the Motor City as the head man for Detroit Mercy basketball. 2023-2024 was an all-time low for the Titans, who lost 30 out of 31 games. 

“Growing up in the area, you heard about the history of the University, the great players, the atmosphere and historic Calihan Hall,” Montgomery said in a statement released by the University of Detroit Mercy on Wednesday. “Those teams were nationally known and they played the best and beat the best. I am so honored and humbled to lead the program back to where it was.”

Montgomery holds a 124-170 all-time record as head coach. At Northern Illinois University, he led the Huskies to a first-place finish in the MAC West Division during the 2019-2020 season and reached a postseason tournament in 2016. 

“I’m thrilled for Monty and very excited for the opportunity he has as the head coach at University of Detroit Mercy. Monty returned to Michigan State three years ago and has been an important part of my staff and our recruiting,” Izzo said in the statement. “He is one of the best and brightest coaches I’ve worked with during my career. Monty has a great understanding of the game, he’s called our offensive sets and is an incredibly hard worker who is very organized and knows how to run a program.”

With Montgomery’s departure, Izzo has an empty seat amongst his coaching staff that needs filling.