History of Tom Izzo in Timeline

Tom Izzo, born January 30, 1955, is the head basketball coach at Michigan State University since 1995. A highly respected figure in college basketball, Izzo was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on April 4, 2016. He has achieved considerable success throughout his career.

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Full Timeline

1948: The beginning of the AP poll

In 1948, the Associated Press Top 25 men's college basketball preseason poll first started.

January 30, 1955: Tom Izzo's Birth

On January 30, 1955, Thomas Michael Izzo was born. He is an American college basketball coach.

1973: Played Basketball at Northern Michigan University

From 1973, Tom Izzo played guard for the men's basketball team at Northern Michigan University in Marquette.

1977: Named Division II All-American

In 1977, during his senior season, Tom Izzo set a school record for minutes played and was named a Division II All-American at Northern Michigan University.

1979: Assistant Coaching Job at Northern Michigan University

From 1979, Tom Izzo took an assistant coaching job at Northern Michigan University.

September 1983: Part-time Assistant at Michigan State

In September 1983, Tom Izzo was named a part-time assistant at Michigan State, starting his long-term association with the university.

1985: NCAA tournament bracket expanded to 64 teams

In 1985, The NCAA tournament bracket expanded to 64 teams.

1986: Assistant Coach at University of Tulsa

In 1986, Tom Izzo had a short two-month stay as an assistant coach at University of Tulsa before returning to Michigan State.

1990: Elevated to Associate Head Coach

Prior to the 1990–91 season, Jud Heathcote elevated Tom Izzo to associate head coach at Michigan State.

1992: Marriage to Lupe Marinez

In 1992, Tom Izzo married his wife, Lupe Marinez Izzo.

1994: Named New Head Coach of MSU

After Jud Heathcote's retirement following the 1994–95 season, Tom Izzo was named the new head coach of men's basketball for MSU.

1995: Head Coach at Michigan State University

In 1995, Tom Izzo became the head coach at Michigan State University, marking a significant milestone in his career.

1995: Hired as Head Coach

In 1995, Tom Izzo was hired as head coach at Michigan State.

1998: Start of Longest Home Court Winning Streak

In 1998, Michigan State began its Big Ten record for the longest home court winning streak, which lasted until 2002.

1998: First Big Ten Championship

In 1998, Michigan State's record in conference improved to 13–3 and Tom Izzo won the first of his 11 regular-season Big Ten championships.

1999: Start of Final Four Appearances

In 1999, Tom Izzo started a streak of three straight Final Four appearances.

1999: First Big Ten Tournament Title and Final Four

In 1999, Tom Izzo won his first of six Big Ten tournament titles, and went to his first Final Four.

2000: MSU Wins NCAA National Championship

In 2000, Tom Izzo led MSU to its second NCAA national championship with an 89–76 win over Florida. This was a significant achievement in his coaching career.

2001: End of Final Four Appearances

In 2001, Tom Izzo ended a streak of three straight Final Four appearances, which began in 1999.

2001: Assistant Coach for Goodwill Games

In 2001, Tom Izzo was assistant coach of the USA Basketball team that had a 5–0 record and won the gold medal at the Goodwill Games.

2002: End of Longest Home Court Winning Streak

In 2002, Michigan State ended its Big Ten record for the longest home court winning streak, which started in 1998.

2003: Head Coach of USA Basketball Team

In 2003, Tom Izzo was head coach of the USA Basketball men's team that took fourth place at the Pan American Games.

2005: Operation Hardwood Participation

In 2005, Tom Izzo participated in Operation Hardwood, coaching basketball teams of American service members in Kuwait military camps.

2005: Collegiate Committee of USA Basketball

In 2005, Tom Izzo served on the Collegiate Committee of USA Basketball's 2005–2008 Quadrennium Committees.

2006: Operation Hardwood Participation

In 2006, Tom Izzo participated in Operation Hardwood, coaching basketball teams of American service members in Kuwait military camps.

2007: Michigan State Deemed Top College Basketball Program

In 2007, ESPN analyst Andy Katz deemed Michigan State the top college basketball program for the decade of 1998 to 2007.

2008: Collegiate Committee of USA Basketball

In 2008, Tom Izzo served on the Collegiate Committee of USA Basketball's 2005–2008 Quadrennium Committees.

November 29, 2009: Most Wins in School History

On November 29, 2009, Tom Izzo became the coach with the most wins in Michigan State University history, surpassing Jud Heathcote after winning his 341st game.

2009: Loss in National Championship

In 2009, Tom Izzo fell short of obtaining his second national championship with a loss to North Carolina 89–72 in Detroit.

2009: Runner-Up Finish in NCAA Tournament

In 2009, Tom Izzo led the Spartans to a Runner-Up finish in the NCAA Tournament.

June 15, 2010: Izzo Decides to Stay at Michigan State

On June 15, 2010, Tom Izzo reported to the Michigan State University's board of trustees that he would remain head coach of Michigan State, declaring himself "a Spartan for life." This decision followed interest from NBA teams.

2010: Six Final Four Appearances

By 2010, Tom Izzo made six Final Four appearances in the years 1999-2010.

2013: Ranked as Angriest Coach

In 2013, Tom Izzo was voted as the fifth angriest coach in college basketball by USA Today Sports.

November 26, 2015: 500th Career Win

On November 26, 2015, Tom Izzo won his 500th career game, all with Michigan State, with a win over Boston College in the Wooden Legacy.

January 28, 2016: Second Place in Big Ten Coaching Wins

On January 28, 2016, Tom Izzo won his 513th career game moving him into second place past Gene Keady all time for wins by a coach in the Big Ten.

March 18, 2016: Upset Loss in NCAA Tournament

On March 18, 2016, MSU suffered an upset in the NCAA Tournament when No. 15-seeded Middle Tennessee defeated the No. 2-seeded Spartans 90–81.

April 4, 2016: Election to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

On April 4, 2016, Tom Izzo was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, recognizing his significant contributions to the sport.

April 4, 2016: Named to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

On April 4, 2016, Tom Izzo was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, recognizing his significant achievements and contributions to the sport.

September 9, 2016: Induction into Hall of Fame

On September 9, 2016, Tom Izzo was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

October 13, 2016: Dean Smith Award

On October 13, 2016, Tom Izzo won the Dean Smith Award, which is awarded to an individual in college basketball who embodies the spirit and values of the late North Carolina coaching great.

2016: Induction into BCAM Hall of Fame

In 2016, Tom Izzo was named to the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan (BCAM) Hall of Fame.

2018: 2018-19 Spartans Season

In 2018, Tom Izzo led the 2018-19 Spartans to a 32-7 overall record and the team reached the Final Four for the eighth time under Izzo.

October 21, 2019: Preseason No. 1 Team in AP Poll

On October 21, 2019, Michigan State was named the preseason No. 1 team in The Associated Press Top 25 men's college basketball preseason poll for the first time in program history.

2019: Son Played Under Izzo

From 2019, Tom Izzo's adopted son, Steven, played under Izzo at Michigan State.

February 26, 2022: Tied for Most Wins at Big Ten School

On February 26, 2022, with a win over the No. 4-ranked Purdue, Tom Izzo tied former Indiana coach Bob Knight for the most wins all-time at a Big Ten school.

March 8, 2022: Most Wins by a Big Ten Coach

On March 8, 2022, Tom Izzo surpassed Bob Knight for the most wins by a men's basketball coach at a Big Ten school with 663.

August 11, 2022: Contract Extension with Spartans

On August 11, 2022, Tom Izzo signed a five-year contract extension with the Spartans, worth $6.2 million annually, solidifying his long-term commitment to the university.

January 30, 2024: 700th Career Win

On January 30, 2024, Tom Izzo earned his 700th career win, marking a significant milestone in his coaching career.

October 13, 2024: Exhibition Game and Jersey Retirement at NMU

On October 13, 2024, Tom Izzo brought the Spartans to his alma mater for an exhibition game against Northern Michigan, where his number 10 jersey was officially retired by the school and Izzo was honored by NMU.