NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo isn’t retiring anytime soon.
The 71-year-old head coach was asked what he would be doing five years from now after his team’s 67-63 loss to UConn in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, and he dismissed the possibility of retirement.
“Trying to win a national championship, plain and simple,” Izzo told reporters.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo reacts during the first half against North Dakota State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Buffalo, New York on March 19, 2026. (Yuki Iwamura/AP Photo)
“We all talk about retirement,” Izzo said. “Why? What am I going to do? As soon as I don’t feel good, as soon as I don’t feel like I’m giving my AD or my president or my school every ounce of energy that I have every day or that energy is diminishing, you don’t have to worry about it. I’m not stealing money. I’m not going to steal anyone’s time.”
Izzo said he still has some things to accomplish before he makes a career out of it. He said he would enter the portal the day after the team lost.
FORMER UNC BASKETBALL STAR KENNY SMITH REACTS TO HUBERT DAVIS’ FIRING, CLOSES INTEREST IN COACHING JOB
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo reacts during the second half against Louisville in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Buffalo, New York on March 21, 2026. (Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP Photo)
“Tomorrow I’m going to the gate,” Izzo said. “The only difference is Michigan State’s gate is different than most places. I’m going right into my fucking locker room and I’m going to talk to every player there. I’m going to make decisions about what we’re going to do that I feel very comfortable with.”
The Iron Mountain, Mich., native said he has seven or eight guys returning next season, as well as a recruiting class he feels good about.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo shouts during the second half of an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game against UConn in Washington, District of Columbia, March 27, 2026. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP Photo)
Izzo began coaching at Michigan State during the 1995-96 season and has been the team’s head coach ever since. He accumulated a record of 764-310, including a 61-27 record in the NCAA tournament. Michigan State went 27-8 this season.
“I’m the luckiest guy in the world. I just don’t get a chance to play on Sunday,” Izzo said. “I can play another Sunday. Wait.”
