Will Izzo go?

For whatever reason, I feel the urge to write about sports when watching the Cup Finals. 14 minutes to go in the first, no score. Wife is out with a friend, so it's a lot quieter in here than usual for these games. She should be back any minute, though, teaching our soon to be born daughter how to curse out Flyers goalies.

Not surprising report the other day that the Cavs offered or will be offering (depending on who you believe) their head coaching job to Tom Izzo. I immediately contacted Fah T, who happens to be quite knowledgeable about all things basketball. His immediate response: no way Izzo leaves State. I tend to agree. That was my immediate response, too. My next thought was, well, maybe...

Allow me to explain the psyche of head coaches for a moment, especially basketball and football head coaches. These guys LIVE to win. Seriously, it's as essential to life to them as oxygen. Recall Urban Meyer for a moment and his "retirement," then his "temporary leave," which lasted from their bowl game in January until spring practice, or if you want to be realistic, until his next recruiting trip in February. When these guys win a title, they're excited for about 48 hours. After that, they're back to work planning on how their going to win next year and completely forgetting that their town/campus is still hungover from the victory parade.

Think about your absolutely favorite thing in the world, whether it be spending time with your kids, eating Spaghetti-Os (unofficial blog sponsor for today... Hmmm Hmmm Good!), or admiring your hero changing his fantasy team names every week. Then pretend you're doing that on the same day you won a 200 million dollar Mega Millions jackpot. Then pretend that all happens in your favorite vacation spot with your favorite beverage in hand while being served the best meal you've ever had in your life. That is about 1/10 of what winning means to these guys.

Izzo always seemed different, though. I mean, he has the same need to win, but comes across with a great sense of loyalty. (FYI - wife is back, earmuffs). He is the most underrated coach in college hoops, and maybe in all of sports. The guy has been to something like 5 of the last 11 Final Fours. He does nothing but win games and graduate players, and no one ever pays attention. If he stays at State, they'll name the floor after him one day.

You gotta wonder, though, does the lack of recognition get to him at all? Does he have that coach's desire to see if he can make it at the highest level? I don't think that matters all that much to Izzo. But this might... can I take the best player on the planet, and maybe eventually, the best player ever, and get him his titles? (1-0 Blackhawks, a subdued "s**t" from the wife. Reality may be sinking in right now, the Hawks look awfully good right now). If it weren't for that, and the fact he wouldn't have to move far from home, I don't think he would even think about the pros. But to coach LeBron... hmmmm. He's got to think about it, right? Right?

This wouldn't even be a question if it weren't for the whole LeBron fiasco, which in itself is getting a little ridiculous at the moment, though isn't going to make me love him any less. July 1 can't get here soon enough. Ultimately, I think Izzo stays. He's way to classy and knows what he means to Michigan State hoops, the university, and college basketball in general. I can't possibly see him letting all that go. Call it 95/5 he stays. But if he goes, I will definitely have lost some faith in the idea that anyone in sports might actually put loyalty above glory, cash, and fame.