12/21/24
November 21, 2006
Tom Izzo is being considered for the head football position at MSU.: The link title says it all.
Someones gonna turn 'em around you know 4 games into the season then play like crap for the rest but I don't think it's gonna be Izzo
posted by luther70 at 08:42 PM on November 21, 2006
Would I be wrong to think that MSU is a bit unorganized and off their rocker at the same time?
posted by dbt302 at 08:55 PM on November 21, 2006
I'm not sure if Izzo knows much about football, but I doubt he knows enough to coach a Big Ten team. He and Steve Maruicci grew up playing football and basketball together. I'm sure he knows plenty about football. But it would be hard to gain some of the players respect simply due to the fact that he is recognized as a basketball coach. I wouldn't put it beyond him though as his basketball teams are always some of the strongest/toughest teams in the nation when it comes to conditioning.
posted by yay-yo at 09:09 PM on November 21, 2006
"Izzo pointed out that he nearly went to college on a football scholarship instead of going to Northern Michigan to play basketball. He also said he turned down a chance to be the defensive backs coach at Cal State Fullerton when he was 26 years old." So, he does know football. I've read elsewhere he is a football fanatic. I do think it'd be a much bigger loss for the basketball team then it'd be a gain for the football team.
posted by apoch at 09:12 PM on November 21, 2006
On the surface, it sounds like a bad idea...but considering the success rate of established football coaches with the MSU program, he couldn't do much worse. Of course, all they'd really accomplish is bringing a quality basketball program down to the level of their underperforming football squad. The Spartans could be a Lions farm team. They get plenty of talent, but can't find a way to consistently do anything worthwhile with it.
posted by ctal1999 at 09:47 PM on November 21, 2006
It must be a joke! Izzo coaching Football would be like when Micheal Jordan went to play BaseBall
posted by msusportsguy at 10:44 PM on November 21, 2006
That's a good point, MSG. Although I feel like I've read it somewhere else. Is there any precedent for this? Over here, Rugby World Cup winning coach Sir Clive Woodward held a couple of different roles at Southampton Football Club, but was never directly in charge of the team and he left his position as Director of Football in August, after Chairman Rupert Lowe, who had installed Woodward in the position, left the club.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 01:13 AM on November 22, 2006
Izzo coaching football would be like when Michael Jordan....oh, never mind.
posted by dyams at 06:27 AM on November 22, 2006
Know what this reminds me of? 
posted by yerfatma at 07:40 AM on November 22, 2006
Let the record reflect that Jordan did have 3 HR, 51 RBI, and 30 SB (which I think the SBs lead the league) not bad for a guy who was I'd say at least ten years older than the average player in that league. While no one would mistake him for Nuke Laloosh its fair to say he performed better than more than a few guys who actually thought that they could play baseball for a living. As far as Izzo is concerned if you surround him with enough talented assistants it could make a decent sideshow but I wouldn't expect much more.
posted by kyrilmitch_76 at 09:23 AM on November 22, 2006
So, in other words, it would be just like normal Michigan State football? I read somewhere (and can't find the link) that he had already denied any possibility of this happening. Is he backtracking now, or just saying the job is interesting to him and he thinks he could do it?
posted by wfrazerjr at 09:59 AM on November 22, 2006
It's my impression from the link that he is declining the job without actually declining the job, while expressing interest in the job and actually saying he could do it.
posted by hawkguy at 11:17 AM on November 22, 2006
Eventually Izzo will be President of the University and Mayor of East Lansing. I've heard rumors that he will head to South Korea for a cloning exercise that will allow him to occupy all city council seats as well. Mark my words, fear the Izzo Clone Army.
posted by gradys_kitchen at 11:24 AM on November 22, 2006
Dear Tom, In football, you're never going to win the recruiting war with that big bad maze and blue behemoth who resides to your southeast. Why do you think Saban headed to LSU? Enjoy the tide that shifted your way on the hardcourt after the fab 5 rummaged and pillaged their way through college and left the behemoth's hoop dreams in ruins. Stick with what's working.
posted by Bill Lumbergh at 11:40 AM on November 22, 2006
What hawkguy said. And I heard that ketchup thought it could do a good job as salsa.
posted by THX-1138 at 05:00 PM on November 22, 2006
It must be a joke! Izzo coaching Football would be like when Micheal Jordan went to play BaseBall posted by msusportsguy Jordan, was WAY past his prime when he played baseball, Izzo has a long way to go! I think MSU could....and have done worse!
posted by bo_fan at 06:17 PM on November 22, 2006
Of course, if any of you have seen his basketball team play, then it would be most apparent to you that Izzo knows football.
posted by Bud Lang at 06:52 PM on November 22, 2006
Sarcasm I hope?
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 08:14 PM on November 22, 2006
What's this about Michael Jordan playing baseball? Why, that'd be like Tom Izzo coaching football or something! I mean, really, come on, you guys. Sheesh!
posted by The_Black_Hand at 09:56 PM on November 22, 2006
I don't really think Izzo will end up as the coach, and to hire him for that job is just idiotic. Yes he would be a wizard at recruiting, but he is a basketball coach. A damn good one, but still a basketball coach. I'm not sure if Izzo knows much about football, but I doubt he knows enough to coach a Big Ten team. If Michael Jordan can give up basketball for baseball, perhaps Tom Izzo can go from basketball to football. As we all know, while Jordan was phenomenal at basketball, he sucked as a baseball player. I can only think that Izzo as a football coach would be the same way.