Michigan State’s Tom Izzo turns down Cavs’ head coaching job

Tom Izzo rejects Cavaliers offer

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Tom Izzo is staying at Michigan State, turning down a chance to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers and perhaps LeBron James.

In a statement released by the school on Tuesday Izzo says: “I’m pleased to say I am here for life at Michigan State.”

For the past nine days, Izzo has been trying to decide whether to leave the place that has been his home since 1983 and jump to the NBA to perhaps make $6 million — doubling his salary — and possibly coaching one of the best basketball players in the world.

The Spartans have scheduled an 8:30 p.m. ET press conference with Izzo, school president Lou Anna Simon and athletic director Mark Hollis.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State’s Tom Izzo squeezes his basketball camps into a 10-day window, trying to focus on teaching fundamentals to kids and freeing up the rest of the summer for his family and recruiting.

Izzo was back at his basketball camp Tuesday, wrestling with a career- and life-altering decision to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers or stick with the Spartans.

When he left his office just after 6:30 p.m. ET, he still hadn’t announced his plans.

LeBron James’ uncertain future makes it an even more difficult decision. The 25-year-old superstar is unlikely to tip his hand to Izzo or anybody else publicly before free agency begins July 1.

A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press early Monday night that James had not spoken to Izzo about the Cavaliers’ coaching vacancy and didn’t plan to get involved in the team’s search. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team and the school aren’t commenting on Izzo’s status.

So without knowing if James will be on the team — giving Izzo a chance to compete for an NBA title — should he stay or go?

Phoenix Suns guard Jason Richardson, who played for Michigan State’s 2000 national championship team, has talked to him recently and doesn’t know what Izzo will do.

He’s not alone.

Many people who have spoken with Izzo over the past week didn’t come away from their conversations convinced they knew which way he was leaning.

“It’s a tough decision,” Richardson said in a telephone interview with the AP on Tuesday. “I can understand why he’s trying to take his time with it.”

It appears Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, Michigan State president Lou Anna Simon and athletic director Mark Hollis aren’t putting any pressure on Izzo with an imminent timetable.

Izzo is trying to decide whether to leave the place that has been his home since 1983 and jump to the NBA to perhaps make $6 million — doubling his salary — and possibly coaching one of the best basketball players in the world.

While the Cavs wait for Izzo, they’re working on what seems to be Plan B.

Cavs general manager Chris Grant spoke by phone last week to Byron Scott, a former New Jersey Nets and New Orleans Hornets coach. Scott, a three-time NBA champion guard for the Lakers, could be waiting to see if Phil Jackson leaves Los Angeles.

If Izzo leaves Michigan State, the list of possible successors likely would include Dayton’s Brian Gregory, Tulsa’s Doug Wojcik, Utah’s Jim Boylen — all once assistants under Izzo — along with Spartans associate head coach Mark Montgomery and assistant Dwayne Stephens.