Michigan State basketball legend Tom Izzo defends Fran McCaffery’s job status at Iowa

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With pressure mounting on the job security of Iowa head basketball coach Fran McCaffery, legendary Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo came to McCaffery’s defense following the Spartans’ 91-84 victory over the Hawkeyes on Thursday night from Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Asked what he would say to Iowa fans that are frustrated with where the program is at, Izzo shared his support of McCaffery and voiced his opinion that McCaffery doesn’t have the same resources at his disposal as compared to his Big Ten and national coaching counterparts.

“I look at some of the players he’s had and what they’ve done, you get lucky and unlucky. I just went through a three-year period where everyone wants to ship me out. I mean, it’s just the way it is. They don’t have the resources here. I’m going to say what I think. This ain’t what Fran thinks.

“Everybody has different amounts of resources. They’re not on the middle or high end. I love Fran. I think what he’s gone through here with his own kids and everything. Watch what you wish for. I’ve seen this happen at a couple of football programs close to us and people better appreciate. It’s easy to throw stones. Everybody says, ‘Well, we’re paying guys money now, so you should be able to win.’ Well, don’t you think the rest of us are paying money? It’s no different. Fran is one of my favorite guys because he does speak his own piece and he’s very smart,” Izzo said.

As Izzo issued a warning to Iowa brass and to the fan base about the risks of moving on from McCaffery, the longtime Spartan head coach said Iowa’s performance against Michigan State was an illustration of McCaffery’s coaching chops.

“And I know this, he’s sticking around if it’s up to me because I need him. I need some of the guys that helped build this conference again and he’s one of them. And I think tonight proves it. We had everything to play for. They didn’t have as much to play for. I’m supposed to be such a ‘good’ coach.

“He kicked my butt, our butt for most of that time, so I’d say……

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/michigan-state-basketball-legend-tom-203515923.html

Author : Hawkeyes Wire

Publish date : 2025-03-07 20:35:00

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