So, there really was a chance that Tom Izzo could've been the next head coach of the Phoenix Suns. Michigan State's longtime head coach said so himself on the "Dan Patrick Show."
"My former player, Mat Ishbia -- that was hard. That was a hard thing to turn down because ... I kind of wanted to go with him."
Patrick asked Izzo if Phoenix actually offered him the position, to which he said, "We talked seriously about it, let's say that."
Based on what Izzo said, it sounds like if he were willing to leave MSU for Phoenix, that's what would've happened.
Ishbia still found a way to get a Michigan State guy in the role, hiring Jordan Ott, who was a graduate assistant and video coordinator for the Spartans under Izzo. You have to think that the legendary head coach gave his stamp of approval to Phoenix about that hiring.
Michigan State HC Tom Izzo reveals he was in talks with the Phoenix #Suns:
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) April 1, 2026
"I've had more than a couple job offers in the NBA, looked at one last year with Phoenix – my former player Mat Ishbia. That was hard, that was a hard thing to turn down... we talked seriously about it." pic.twitter.com/kjSIJreIWz
Tom Izzo says he considered becoming Suns' next head coach
Izzo's name was jokingly floated around as a possible candidate last year after Phoenix fired Mike Budenholzer, but that was because Ishbia's Michigan State ties, not because anyone thought it'd actually happen.
Are you really surprised, though?
Ishbia promoted Brian Gregory to general manager, who had been a graduate assistant for the Spartans for six years before joining Izzo's coaching staff. After a couple of seasons, he became the associate head coach. He shares that Spartan connection.
It's interesting to think about how things would've looked had Izzo taken the job. Hiring a 70-year-old head coach (he's since turned 71) who has been Michigan State's head coach since 1995 might not have been an experiment that yielded the results the Suns wanted.
Although Izzo has dealt with the chaotic NIL and transfer portal world at the collegiate level, making the step up to the NBA would've still been a big transition for him. It's a whole different beast.
Going with Ott was the right move, not just because he's done well in his first-ever head-coaching job, but because he's a coach Phoenix can keep around and build with after cycling through coaches over the past few years. Having that stability is nice, something the Suns wouldn't have had with Izzo unless he planned to coach well into his 70s.
After Michigan State's 67-63 loss to UConn in the Sweet Sixteen, Izzo shut down the idea that he'd retire, but when he eventually does, don't be surprised if he serves in some capacity within the Suns' organization.