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.