EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN — Tom Izzo Officially Declares Retirement After 29 Seasons With Michigan State
EAST LANSING, MI — In a momentous announcement that sent shockwaves through the Michigan State Spartans basketball community and beyond, legendary head coach Tom Izzo has officially declared his retirement, closing the chapter on one of the most iconic careers in college basketball history.
After 29 seasons as the head coach of Michigan State, Izzo, 69, made his decision public at a press conference Tuesday morning inside the Breslin Center — the very court where he built a dynasty of grit, toughness, and consistency.
> “It’s been the honor of my life to lead this program,” Izzo said through emotion. “Michigan State gave a kid from Iron Mountain a chance — and I never took a single day of that for granted.”
Izzo’s coaching tenure was nothing short of legendary. He leaves behind a legacy of 686 wins, 10 Big Ten regular season titles, 8 Final Four appearances, and 1 national championship in 2000. He also led the Spartans to 25 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, the third-longest streak in NCAA history.
Widely respected as a no-nonsense motivator and master of March, Izzo’s teams were known for their toughness, rebounding, and relentless defensive identity — principles that became synonymous with Michigan State basketball.
> “There will never be another Tom Izzo,” said MSU athletic director Alan Haller. “He is the soul of Spartan basketball, and his impact goes far beyond the hardwood.”
Izzo coached countless NBA players during his time in East Lansing, including Draymond Green, Jaren Jackson Jr., Miles Bridges, and Mateen Cleaves. Many of them took to social media following the announcement, expressing gratitude for a coach who shaped not just their games, but their lives.
> “Coach Izzo believed in me before I believed in myself,” tweeted Draymond Green. “This isn’t goodbye — it’s a thank-you.”
Though retirement rumors had surfaced in recent seasons, Izzo had continually brushed them aside, saying he would coach “as long as the fire still burned.” Tuesday’s announcement came as a surprise to many, though Izzo cited family and health as central reasons for stepping down.
Michigan State has not yet named a successor, but Haller confirmed a national search will begin immediately. Assistant coach Dwayne Stephens and former MSU player and NBA coach Doug Wojcik are among early names floated.
As Spartan fans and college basketball at large say farewell to one of the sport’s true icons, Izzo leaves the game the same way he coached it — with passion, integrity, and deep love for his players, his school, and the sport.