History of Tom Izzo in Timeline

Tom Izzo is the head basketball coach at Michigan State University since 1995. He was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. Izzo is known for his long tenure and success at Michigan State.

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Full Timeline

1948: Beginning of AP Poll

In 1948, The Associated Press began its Top 25 men's college basketball preseason poll, a poll in which Tom Izzo's team was named #1 for the first time in 2019.

January 30, 1955: Tom Izzo's Birth

On January 30, 1955, Thomas Michael Izzo was born. He later became the head basketball coach at Michigan State University.

1973: Played basketball at Northern Michigan University

In 1973, Tom Izzo began playing guard for the men's basketball team at Northern Michigan University.

1977: Named Division II All-American

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

1979: Assistant Coaching Job

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

September 1983: Assistant at Michigan State

In September 1983, Tom Izzo was named a part-time assistant coach at Michigan State University, marking a significant step in his coaching career.

1985: Expansion of NCAA Tournament Bracket

In 1985, the NCAA tournament bracket expanded to 64 teams, which allowed Tom Izzo to join Krzyzewski and Ben Howland as the only three coaches who have made three consecutive Final Fours since.

1986: Assistant Coach at University of Tulsa

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

1990: 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 Head Coach

In 1994, following Jud Heathcote's retirement, Tom Izzo was named the new head coach of men's basketball for Michigan State University.

1995: Head Coach at Michigan State

In 1995, Tom Izzo became the head coach at Michigan State University, marking the beginning of his long and successful tenure with the Spartans.

1995: Hired as Head Coach

In 1995, Tom Izzo was hired as the head coach at Michigan State University, marking the beginning of his tenure.

1998: Start of Home Court Winning Streak

In 1998, Michigan State began a long home court winning streak that lasted until 2002, setting a Big Ten record.

1998: 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. Also, Michigan State began a streak of 27 straight NCAA tournament appearances.

1999: Start of Final Four Streak

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

1999: First Big Ten Tournament Title

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

2000: NCAA National Championship Win

In 2000, Tom Izzo led Michigan State University (MSU) to its second NCAA national championship with an 89–76 win over Florida.

2001: Assistant Coach at Goodwill Games

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

2001: End of Final Four Streak

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

2002: End of Home Court Winning Streak

In 2002, Michigan State saw the end of a long home court winning streak that started in 1998, setting a Big Ten record.

2003: Head Coach at Pan American Games

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

2005: Operation Hardwood

In 2005, Tom Izzo participated in Operation Hardwood in Kuwait military camps and his team won the tournament championship.

2005: USA Basketball Committee

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

2006: Operation Hardwood

In 2006, Tom Izzo participated in Operation Hardwood in Kuwait military camps.

2007: Top Program of the Decade

In 2007, ESPN analyst Andy Katz deemed Michigan State the top college basketball program for the decade of 1998 to 2007, recognizing the team's consistent success.

2008: USA Basketball Committee

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 school history after winning his 341st game, surpassing Jud Heathcote.

2009: NCAA Runner-Up Finish

In 2009, Tom Izzo guided the Spartans to a Runner-Up finish in the NCAA Tournament, adding to his list of accomplishments.

2009: Loss in National Championship

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

June 15, 2010: Izzo Stays 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."

2010: Continued Final Four Appearances

From 1999 to 2010, Tom Izzo made six Final Four appearances, a feat matched by no other team in college basketball during that period.

2013: Voted 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 achieved his 500th career game win, all with Michigan State, with a victory over Boston College in the Wooden Legacy.

January 28, 2016: Moved into Second Place for Wins in Big Ten

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

March 18, 2016: MSU Suffers Upset Loss

On March 18, 2016, Michigan State University (MSU) suffered an upset in the NCAA Tournament, as the No. 2-seeded Spartans were defeated by No. 15-seeded Middle Tennessee 90–81.

April 4, 2016: Induction into 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.

September 9, 2016: Hall of Fame Induction

On September 9, 2016, Tom Izzo was formally 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, recognizing individuals in college basketball who embody the spirit and values of the late North Carolina coaching great.

2016: Induction into BCAM Hall of Fame

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

2018: Successful Season and Final Four

In 2018, Tom Izzo led the Spartans to a 32–7 overall record, marking his fifth 30-win season, and the team reached the Final Four for the eighth time under Izzo.

October 21, 2019: Ranked No. 1 in AP Poll

On October 21, 2019, at the outset of Tom Izzo's 25th season leading the Spartans, 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 Plays Under Izzo

In 2019, Tom Izzo's adopted son, Steven, began playing 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 in Big Ten History

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

August 11, 2022: Contract Extension

On August 11, 2022, Tom Izzo signed a five-year contract extension, worth $6.2 million annually, with the Spartans, solidifying his commitment to remain "a Spartan for life."

January 30, 2024: 700th Career Win

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

October 13, 2024: Game and Jersey Retirement at Alma Mater

On October 13, 2024, Tom Izzo brought the Spartans to his alma mater, Northern Michigan, for an exhibition game which his team won. During the game, Tom Izzo's number 10 jersey was officially retired by the school.