Tom Izzo Was Nearly The Phoenix Suns' Head Coach

The Phoenix Suns wanted Tom Izzo, and he says he almost made the move.

Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

PHOENIX — Rumors last summer of the Phoenix Suns' interest in hiring another Michigan State face ran rampant, though they ultimately ended up being true.

The Suns had just fired head coach Mike Budenholzer and were looking to bring on their fourth coach in as many years. Owner Mat Ishbia, a loud and proud Michigan State alum, hasn't been shy about bringing on talent from the green and white.

Those previous rumors included current Spartans basketball coach Tom Izzo, and as it turns out, they weren't just rumors.

"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 because No. 1 I kind of wanted to go with him ... we talked seriously about it, let's say that," Izzo said on The Dan Patrick Show.

Michigan State HC Tom Izzo reveals he was in talks with the Phoenix #Suns:

"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

— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) April 1, 2026

Izzo, one of college basketball's most respected coaches, has been in his seat for decades and has transformed Michigan State into a consistent contender. That success is part of why Ishbia — who won a national championship under Izzo as a player — considered his former head coach.

Ishbia previously used Izzo as an example of what he wanted the Suns to be, and he hasn't been shy about making comps.

“If you ever watch basketball, what happens at timeouts?” Ishbia said.

"College and NBA, coach walks out to the free-throw line, and the assistants circle him and they talk for 30 seconds and then he goes and talks to the players. Watch Michigan State. They’re running in. Izzo’s grabbing this guy. He’s talking to this guy. He’s drawing up plays. He’s in the weeds. He doesn’t have to say, ‘Hey, did we run that right?’ He knows every detail.”

The Suns since hired Jordan Ott as their head coach, and that's yielded some pretty strong results during his rookie season on the bench. Phoenix shocked majority of the basketball world this season and are now primed to be play-in tournament participants.

Ott, obviously, was the right call, though it's still intriguing to see Izzo was actually a contender for the job and not just a wild rumor.

Izzo is certainly up there in age, so maybe the best long-term play would have been another option like Ott — though the Suns clearly wanted some of Izzo's pedigree to help usher in a new era.