EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN — JULY 9, 2025
Tom Izzo Rumored to Retire from Michigan State Basketball, But Official Confirmation Still Pending
Tom Izzo, the legendary head coach of the Michigan State Spartans men’s basketball team, is rumored to have announced his retirement earlier this week, prompting a flood of reactions across the college basketball world. Multiple social media posts and blog headlines claimed that Izzo is stepping down “but leaving the door open for a possible return under specific conditions.”
However, as of Tuesday morning, there has been no official confirmation from Michigan State University or from Izzo himself regarding such an announcement.
The speculation appears to stem from a recent off-season conversation where Izzo spoke openly about the challenges of modern college basketball, particularly the impact of NIL (name, image, and likeness) regulations and the transfer portal. “It’s a different world now,” Izzo was quoted as saying in an interview earlier this year. “If my health is good and I still feel like I’m making a difference — I’ll keep going. But when the time is right, I’ll know.”
Despite the suggestive wording, Izzo did not directly state that he is retiring, nor did he outline any conditions for a return. Those statements, when lifted out of context, appear to have sparked the rumor mill.
Izzo, now 70, has coached the Spartans since 1995, compiling a Hall-of-Fame résumé that includes more than 680 wins, 10 Big Ten titles, 8 Final Four appearances, and a national championship in 2000. He signed a five-year contract extension in 2022, worth more than $6 million annually, signaling his long-term commitment to the program.
Following a solid 2024–25 campaign in which Michigan State reached the Sweet 16, Izzo showed no public signs of slowing down. In fact, his postgame press conferences were filled with familiar energy and gratitude toward his players. “I love this team. I love what I do,” he said following their tournament exit in March. “There’s still fire in the tank.”
While fans and analysts continue to speculate about how much longer Izzo will remain on the sidelines, both he and MSU Athletics have emphasized that any formal decision would come directly from the coach — not through social media speculation.
An MSU spokesperson declined to comment on the current rumors but reiterated that Izzo is “deeply involved in offseason recruiting and preparation for the upcoming season.”
Until an official statement is issued by Izzo or the university, reports of his retirement should be treated as unconfirmed. Still, many agree that when the time comes, Izzo deserves a sendoff worthy of his legendary impact — and that day, though eventually inevitable, has not yet arrived.