yahoo
In the summer of 2024, Dan Hurley stood at a crossroads, weighing a six-year, $70 million offer to coach the Los Angeles Lakers against remaining at UConn, where he had just led the program to a national title. Few coaches could understand such a dilemma, but Hurley found a kindred spirit in Michigan State's Tom Izzo, who has fielded multiple NBA offers during his storied tenure with the Spartans.
Hurley ultimately chose to stay in college basketball, and his bond with Izzo has flourished. On Tuesday evening, Hurley brought his UConn team to East Lansing for an exhibition game, further solidifying their connection.
"Danny and I talked a year ago, we went out there and played," Izzo said during the Big Ten Network broadcast. "He's been a good friend of mine. He had some NBA offers, I went through it a little bit myself, we just talked about it and we just became good friends. I love what he does, I love what he stands for, and I knew playing them, they'd be tough as nails."
Izzo's coaching journey at Michigan State began in 1995, the same year Hurley was playing his senior season at Seton Hall. Inheriting a program that hadn't reached the Final Four since Magic Johnson's era, Izzo needed only five seasons to bring a national championship to East Lansing, winning the 2000 title with stars like Jason Richardson and Morris Peterson. That summer, he turned down an offer to coach the Atlanta Hawks, and more than 25 years later, he remains a target of professional interest—Izzo recently acknowledged serious discussions with Phoenix Suns owner and former Spartan Mat Ishbia about their head coaching position.
Hurley, though newer to the coaching ranks, has embraced an old-school approach that mirrors Izzo's. The two are part of an "old-school coaches" group chat that also includes Thad Matta and Mick Cronin. They have publicly aligned on issues like player eligibility and transfer portal regulation, and their programs faced off in an exhibition game in Connecticut before last season.
"They buried us out there last year," Izzo recalled. "It was a 15-point game, but they dominated the game. He said to me after, 'You've got a ways to go.' At least you can be honest with some coaches."
On Tuesday, Izzo's Spartans put up a tougher fight on their home court, powered by a 23-point, eight-rebound performance from point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. However, the Huskies overcame early free-throw struggles and pulled away for a 78-70 victory.
Key Analysis
The friendship between Hurley and Izzo highlights a shared philosophy rooted in traditional values and a mutual understanding of the allure and pressure of NBA opportunities. Their ability to connect on both personal and professional levels underscores the respect they have for each other's approach to the game.
Originally reported by yahoo.