Tom Izzo, 71, scoffs at retirement talk after Spartans’ exit

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo, at 71, is nowhere near ready to move on after 31 seasons with the Spartans.

He was asked after Friday's Sweet 16 loss to UConn where he sees himself in five years.

"Trying to win a national championship -- plain and simple," said Izzo, who led Michigan State to a title in 2000.

The Spartans finished 27-8 this season with Friday's 67-63 loss in Washington, D.C., giving Izzo a 764-310 (.711) record since taking over the program in East Lansing in 1995-96. His teams have reached 28 NCAA Tournaments and eight Final Fours.

The four-time Big Ten Coach of the Year and two-time national Coach of the Year was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. Although he has accomplished every item on any coach's bucket list, he said he's not ready for a rocking chair.

"We all talk about retirement," Izzo said. "Why? What the hell am I going to do? The minute I don't feel good, the minute I don't feel like I'm giving my AD or president or school every ounce of energy I have every day or that energy drops, you don't have to worry about it. I don't steal money. I won't steal anybody's time. But it's sure as hell not going to be now.

"I've got some things to accomplish."

Izzo said he expects seven or eight players from this season's team to return along with a strong freshman class. He also mentioned the transfer portal.

"The only difference is the portal at Michigan State is different than the portal at most places," he said. "I'm going right to my frickin' locker room, and I'm going to talk to each and every player right there. I'm going to make some decisions about what we're going to do that I feel very comfortable with."

Although the Spartans fell short of their first Final Four since 2019, Izzo found a silver lining.

"I'm the luckiest guy in the world. I'm just not lucky enough to be playing on Sunday," Izzo said. "I'll get to play on another Sunday. Hang around."