According to an ESPN report, Tom Izzo, the head coach of the Michigan State Spartan basketball team, stunned the college basketball world by turning down Georgia and Notre Dame’s astounding $7.5 million OCC offer to stay with the Spartans. He said, “I have no plans beyond being the Spartan head coach.” complete details.

According to an ESPN report, Tom Izzo, the head coach of the Michigan State Spartan basketball team, stunned the college basketball world by turning down Georgia and Notre Dame’s astounding $7.5 million OCC offer to stay with the Spartans. He said, “I have no plans beyond being the Spartan head coach.” complete details….
In a move that has reverberated throughout the college basketball world, legendary Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo has reportedly turned down a lucrative $7.5 million OCC (Outside Conference Commitment) offer from both Georgia and Notre Dame to remain with the Spartans—a program he has built into a national powerhouse over the last three decades.
According to an ESPN report, Izzo, who has led Michigan State since 1995, was approached by both Georgia and Notre Dame with offers that included not only massive financial packages but also promises of program-building autonomy. However, the 68-year-old Hall of Fame coach made it clear that his heart remains in East Lansing.
I have no plans beyond being the Spartan head coach,” Izzo said in a brief but emphatic statement. “Michigan State has been home to me and my family for 40 years. Loyalty means everything to me.”
Izzo’s decision arrives during a transformative time in college basketball, with NIL money, transfer portal chaos, and coaching movement reshaping the sport. While the allure of a new challenge and a massive payday might have swayed others, Izzo continues to set the standard for stability and devotion to one school.
His loyalty is nothing new. In 2022, Izzo signed a five-year rollover contract with Michigan State valued at over $6.2 million annually. Despite receiving interest from NBA teams and powerhouse college programs throughout his career, he has consistently chosen the Spartans over greener pastures.
Under his leadership, Michigan State has earned 8 Final Four appearances, 10 Big Ten regular-season titles, and a national championship in 2000. Beyond the accolades, Izzo has cultivated a culture of toughness, integrity, and family—a legacy he’s determined to protect.
Sources say Izzo’s decision was also influenced by the ongoing development of his younger players and his passion for mentoring both on and off the court. Even with recent roster turnover, including five player departures, he remains confident in the direction of the program.
In an age of rapid change, Tom Izzo remains a symbol of tradition, loyalty, and unwavering commitment—proof that sometimes, staying put is the boldest move of all.