BREAKING NEWS: Michigan State’s Tom Izzo Wins 2016 Dean Smith Award—A Triumph of Integrity, Leadership, and Impact Beyond the Game
In a moment that highlights not just coaching excellence but character, Tom Izzo, the long-time head coach of Michigan State basketball, was named the recipient of the prestigious 2016 Dean Smith Award. The honor, presented annually by the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA), recognizes a coach who embodies the ideals of the late, great Dean Smith—values such as integrity, service, leadership, and a commitment to players’ growth on and off the court.
The announcement of Izzo as the 2016 honoree sent waves of admiration through the college basketball world, with colleagues, fans, and former players praising a coach who, like Smith, has devoted his career to far more than winning games.
The Dean Smith Award: A Tribute to Character
Created in 2015 following the passing of legendary North Carolina coach Dean Smith, the award celebrates individuals who use basketball as a platform to positively influence lives, promote education, and foster equality and fairness. Smith was known not just for his coaching brilliance—leading UNC to two national championships—but for his unwavering moral compass, his civil rights activism, and his deep care for his players as human beings.
By honoring Tom Izzo, the USBWA underscored the Spartan coach’s alignment with these principles. Malcolm Moran, then-president of the USBWA, described Izzo as “a coach who represents all that the Dean Smith Award stands for: dignity, respect, service, and an unshakable commitment to student-athletes.”
Izzo’s Reaction: Humble and Grateful
True to form, Izzo accepted the honor with characteristic humility. Speaking to reporters in East Lansing after receiving the news, he expressed deep gratitude and reflection.
“To even be mentioned in the same sentence as Dean Smith is incredibly humbling,” Izzo said. “Coach Smith was a giant in this game—not just because of his wins but because of who he was. To receive this award means more than I can say, because it’s about more than basketball. It’s about trying to make a difference.”
Izzo acknowledged that throughout his career, he sought to emulate leaders like Smith in building a program that valued integrity, inclusiveness, and accountability.
A Career of Integrity and Impact
Since becoming Michigan State’s head coach in 1995, Tom Izzo has built one of the most respected programs in the nation. With numerous Big Ten titles, Final Four appearances, and a 2000 national championship to his name, Izzo is undeniably one of college basketball’s greats. But what has long distinguished him is his emphasis on player development, both on and off the court.
Former players often speak about Izzo’s demanding but deeply caring approach. NBA star Draymond Green, one of Izzo’s most famous protégés, has credited the coach with preparing him not just for the pros, but for life. “Coach Izzo taught me accountability, discipline, and how to be part of something bigger than myself,” Green once said.
Izzo’s graduation rates for his players consistently ranked among the best in major-conference basketball, reflecting his commitment to academics. He’s also known for his charitable work, community outreach, and advocacy for causes ranging from cancer research to youth education initiatives in Michigan.
A Coach Who Stands for More
Like Dean Smith, Izzo has used his platform to stand for fairness and opportunity. He has been a vocal advocate for reforms that balance the interests of student-athletes with the business of college sports, and he has worked to instil