Overview
- Izzo, who spoke Wednesday on The Dan Patrick Show, said he "talked seriously" with Suns owner and former Spartan Mat Ishbia about Phoenix's head-coaching vacancy last summer.
- He ultimately declined and stayed at Michigan State, and he has since said he is not retiring and still aims to chase another Final Four.
- Phoenix hired Jordan Ott instead and has improved to 42-34 this season with six games left after going 36-46 the year before.
- Izzo said the current college setup pushed him to think hard about the NBA, citing name, image and likeness pay and the easy movement allowed by the transfer portal.
- The courtship reflected tight MSU–Suns links through Ishbia as owner and former Spartans staffers Jordan Ott, general manager Brian Gregory and player-development coach Mateen Cleves on the Phoenix bench.