Michigan State’s Tom Izzo tells AP, team he’s undecided about Cavaliers coaching job

Tom Izzo tells AP, Spartans: no decision on Cavs

Tom Izzo is still torn, trying to figure out if he should stay at Michigan State or leave to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Izzo wrote in a text message Friday morning — about 12 hours after he returned home from Cleveland — he has not made a decision.

Later that afternoon, Izzo also told his players that, according to a person at the meeting. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the meeting was to be confidential.

Izzo flew to Cleveland on Thursday and visited with the Cavs for several hours. Among the questions facing Izzo is whether he’d be able to coach LeBron James, who can’t sign until July. Izzo, however, can’t wait that long to decide.

“It won’t go on forever, I can tell you that,” Izzo said Thursday night at the Lansing, Mich., airport before getting in a car and heading home with his wife, daughter and son. “I feel bad that I can’t talk. I feel good that I did what I had to do.”

Messages were left Friday with Cavs owner Dan Gilbert and general manager Chris Grant, both of whom have declined to elaborate about their pursuit of Izzo.

If Izzo spurns Cleveland, the team could turn to former New Orleans and New Jersey coach Byron Scott, whose resume would make him attractive to Cleveland. Scott won three NBA titles as a player and has coached such stars as Jason Kidd and Chris Paul.

A message was left Friday with Scott’s agent, Brian McInerney.

Michigan State has been bracing for Izzo’s possible exit for a decade, dating to an offer from the Atlanta Hawks after he led the school to its second national championship. Each offseason his name emerges as a candidate for openings in the NBA and NCAA. This time, though, it looks as if he might take the leap.

Izzo could make about $6 million a year — doubling his pay — and take on a challenge of making the transition to coaching in the league. A vast majority of college coaches hired by NBA teams have failed. If Izzo thinks James will re-sign, he may not get a better opportunity.

The Cavs fired Mike Brown last month after they lost in the second round of the playoffs to Boston despite having the league’s best regular-season record for the second straight year.

AOL Fanhouse.com reported that Scott had an hour-long interview with Chris Grant and assistant GM Lance Blanks. Grant said the Cavs have spoken to a “number” of candidates, but did not divulge any names.

The team has also inquired about Milwaukee assistant Kelvin Sampson. Grant, who recently took over when Danny Ferry resigned, confirmed this week the team has had contact. He would not comment on whether an offer has been made to the 55-year-old Izzo.

Gilbert is a Michigan State graduate and has known, liked and respected Izzo for years.

While the Cavs work on Plan B — talking to coaches other than Izzo — Michigan State athletic director said earlier in the week he has a long list of candidates he would consider if the Spartans need a new coach.

Dayton’s Brian Gregory, Tulsa’s Doug Wojcik, Utah’s Jim Boylen — all assistants under Izzo — would likely be on the list along with associate head coach Mark Montgomery and Dwayne Stephens. Both played for the Spartans when Izzo was a relatively unknown assistant for Jud Heathcote.

Izzo met with the Spartans on Tuesday, informing them he was in discussions with the Cavs. About 500 people, including center Derrick Nix, tried to sway his decision on Thursday night.

“Coach is the best thing that ever happened to me,” said Nix, a freshman last season.

Fans on message boards and social networking websites generated a rally at the Magic Johnson statue outside Michigan State’s arena. Hundreds wrote personal messages on a huge banner that was taped up to the windows of Izzo’s office. An “Oh no, please don’t go Izzo,” banner was taped at the base of Johnson’s statue.

Izzo has been at the school since 1983 and has been the Spartans’ coach since 1995, leading them to six Final Fours in the past 12 years. The late John Wooden at UCLA and Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski are the only other coaches who have accomplished that feat.

“I’m happy for him either way,” said Los Angeles Lakers guard Shannon Brown, who played for Izzo. “He deserves everything he gets. He works hard. He knows his stuff. He rarely sleeps. He’s always thinking about different ways to get better and different ways to stay on top of his game.”

AP Sports Writer Tom Withers in Cleveland contributed to this report.