I was eating lunch when I heard a rumor out of East Lansing that Michigan State head basketball coach Tom Izzo is a realistic candidate for the position left vacant by John L. Smith.
I was listening to Izzo’s weekly press conference when it dawned on me: he isn’t bullsh%tt*ng.
Only in East Lansing.
Only in the place where I spent the best times of my life could one sorry program affect a thriving one.
Only in the place that’s home to the school I’ll be paying until I die could a college basketball deity commit career suicide by taking over what I have deemed a cursed program.
Think about it. I’m not saying it will, but what if all this comes to pass? What happens to our sick ’07 recruiting class? Where do Durrell, Kalin and Chris go if the guy who ate their mom’s sweet potato pie decides he’d rather roam a sideline than a baseline?
I text messaged my best friend from State right after I heard the “news.” He called me maybe five minutes later. That was the quietest phone conversation we’ve had in the seven years we’ve known each other. Utter disbelief.
I’ve been through the Izzo to the Hawks and Izzo to the Pistons rumors. I always knew there was nothing to those because coach eats, sleeps and breathes MSU. Hell, he named his son after guys on his national championship team.
But that’s what makes this so scary. It’s his love for State that could bring him to believe he can do for Lou Anna what he (indirectly) did for M. Peter.
Who knows. This could work. Izzo could lead the football team to a string of 8 and 9-win seasons and New Year’s Day bowl appearances. Tom Crean, Marquette University head basketball coach and Izzo disciple, could come in and pick up where his Yoda left off.
But where would I draw that optimism after what has transpired the last five seasons?
We’ve had more arrests, suspensions and slaps than wins.
Fans and alumni have had more heartbreaks than New York from “Flavor of Love.”
Seriously, I have no idea why Izzo would not just tell reporters, “I’m the head coach of the MSU basketball team and nothing else.” Why give writers, talking head and radio hosts more subject matter?
I’ve heard in the past that he wants to coach (high school) football when he’s done with hoops, but how can someone with as much experience as me take on a Big Ten football program. A STRUGGLING one at that.
You can’t deny Izzo’s track record, though. Four Final Fours. Three National Coach of the Year Awards and a national title.
But that’s in a completely different arena.
Please, coach, be as much a part of the search as it warrants. Hop on planes, trains or anything else to make sure we get the best guy for the job. Because that guy isn’t you.
Sure, you could light a fire under anybody and make them play until they couldn’t walk anymore. But what about the X’s and O’s part?
Hopefully, when it all comes down to it, Izzo picks the triangle and 2 over the cover 2.
Disclaimer:I graduated from Michigan State. You know, the first power conference school to fire its head coach this season. So I could give 28 @&*!# about Michigan or Ohio State. However, I do realize the ginormousness of their impending battle on Nov. 18, so I took the liberty of sending an e-mail to both head coaches before their games this week against Northwestern (OSU) and Indiana (UM).
I know you’re busy with getting ready for those EXTREMELY tough games this weekend, but I feel the need to make you two fine gentlemen aware of something.
I hate both of you. I hate your schools, your cities, those stupid winged helmets and that overgrown, cheap peanut butter cup you call a mascot. I’ll admit, my vitriol may seem unwarranted, but my alma mater is 0-8 against you two %^#(* the last four years. I guess that’s not all bad, since you helped get that caricature of a football coach fired, right? Right?
Anyway, even though I’d probably siphon gasoline out of someone’s car and pour it on both of you if you were on fire, I love football. I realize that next week’s game is exceedingly important to you two and a host of other people. Myself included. Whoever wins the “big game” will most likely be a heavy favorite no matter what team opposes it in the BCS title game Jan. 8.
I’m sure both of you know what winning this game means. Especially you, Sweatervest, since you’ve beaten Jimmy Stewart 4 of 5 times. But it also means a lot to our conference.
It’s been said that the Big Ten has been “down” for a few years now — basically since O$U bought, I mean won the ’03 national title. A classic contest next week, coupled with a national title win, would bring some respect back to the Big Ten.
But first things first, fellas. You both have to hold up your end of the bargain by beating Northwestern and Indiana Saturday.
And I can say, from watching my beloved Spartans battle both the Wildcats and Hoosiers earlier this season, those are some tough teams. You better not overlook them the way you did Ball State (Lloyd) and Illinois (Jim).
A loss by either of your teams — or even worse yet, both— and your game next week goes from being one of the most highly anticipated games ever regardless of sport to just another Saturday afternoon game between rivals. Sure, it’ll mean a lot to the NASCAR psychos in Ann Arbor and some humpbacked people in Columbus, but nobody else’ll care.
Tressel, if you lose to Northwestern, which happened the last time your group played in Evanston, then follow that up with an L to the Wolverines, you go from Penthouse to Champs Sports Bowl.
If you lose to Indiana, Mr. Carr, and follow that up with your fifth loss in six games versus Tressel — UM lost 37-21 in its last trip to The Shoe — Go Blue goes from possibly holding that shiny ball to playing in El Paso, TX on a Wednesday night. For the second year in a row.
Losses by both of you, coupled with a Michigan loss to the Bucks, would put Wisconsin the Rose Bowl and send you both to purgatory. It would also ruin a perfectly good fall Saturday for millions and MILLIONS of college football fans.
So, please, don’t mess up. I already put the deposit down on my keg and a 12-foot party sub.
Thank you both for your time
P.S. If either of you ever want a change of scenery, you’ll be welcomed with open arms in East Lansing ;-)
My name is Jason Carmel Davis, and I am a graduate of the Michigan State University School of Journalism. Yes, we do go to class in East Lansing, not just to bars and the liquor store.
I'm almost positive I had an SI with me in the womb, checking out Ralph Wiley. He's the main reason I ever decided to pursue a career in sportswriting .
I even remember the first highlight I ever saw on SportsCenter. I don't remember who was reading it, but it was Michael Jordan's 63-point game against the Celtics in the Garden in the 86 Playoffs. I've been hooked ever since.
