Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo is never one to hold back his opinions—but in his most recent remarks, he made it apparent that the gloves are off. In a fiery news conference following summer practice, Izzo publicly lambasted newly appointed Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May for allegedly rejecting a player’s attempt to transfer out of the program, calling the decision “petty, unnecessary, and deeply disappointing.”
“I’ve had enough,” Izzo said simply. “We’re in a new era of college basketball, and some of these coaches need to respond accordingly. The days of holding gamers captive out of fear of competition or losing power should be ended. But apparently, not everyone received the memo.”
Insiders say Izzo is frustrated because of an attempted intra-conference transfer involving a former Michigan guard looking to join Michigan State. While the player has not been officially identified owing to NCAA privacy regulations, sources indicate that he filed the transfer portal in late June, alleging a lack of playing time and a poor fit during May’s early tenure.
Despite the NCAA’s recent shift toward supporting player mobility, Dusty May and the University of Michigan reportedly restricted transfer access to specific programs, especially in-conference rivals like Michigan State.
Izzo stated unequivocally that, while he appreciates the nature of rivalries, penalizing a student-athlete for seeking a better opportunity is unacceptable.
“We’re talking about kids—young men—who are trying to find the right path for themselves,” Izzo replied. “It’s not about Michigan vs Michigan State here. It is about allowing them to grow. Are you blocking a move to protect your ego? That is feeble.”
Dusty May, who took over the Wolverines in April following a successful tenure at Florida Atlantic and a brief stop at Indiana, has yet to reply publicly to Izzo’s comments. However, university insiders insist the block was a “procedural decision” aimed at keeping roster balance, not a personal grudge.
Nonetheless, Izzo’s statements sparked a strong reaction throughout the Big Ten community. Fans, experts, and former players joined in on social media, with many hailing Izzo’s attitude as exemplifying the player-first movement sweeping collegiate athletics.
According to ESPN analyst Jay Williams, “Tom Izzo just said what a lot of coaches are afraid to: some of these old-school tactics have no place in today’s game.”
Meanwhile, some have urged the NCAA to tighten rules allowing schools to prohibit transfers, claiming that the existing system encourages pettiness and undermines player autonomy.
Izzo concluded his comments with a challenge to not only May but the coaching industry as a whole.
“You want to create an excellent program? Build it by treating your players well. If you’re worried about a player leaving for a rival, it’s possible that the issue is with you rather than the player.
The rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State has always been intense, but with this newest incident, it has reached a new level.