Tom Izzo rejects narrative tied to his NIL, transfer portal views

Tom Izzo has been outspoken on his feelings toward the transfer portal and NIL in the past. His comments has seemingly earned the longtime Michigan State head coach a reputation that he may be against the way college athletics is headed.

Izzo has pushed back on this notion in the past. On-hand for new Spartans athletic director J Batt’s introductory press conference, Izzo cleared the air on his perspective about the current state of college athletics. If anything, it appears he’s more worried about what happens to his players after they leave his program.

“People act like I don’t accept it, or I’m old school, and that’s a crock,” Izzo said. “I understand where we are, but I also understand what I think is best for a student athlete. We have not yet seen these guys that are making money and all of a sudden go back to $50,000 jobs. What it’s going to do? … I get sick of people acting like I don’t want to embrace it. But I want to do what’s right for the student athlete.

“I’m all for it, but it’s also going to be right for the program. It’s going to be right for the university, and it’s got to be right for the future.”

Michigan State did dip its feet into the transfer portal this offseason. Trey Fort committed to Michigan State from Samford following Bucky McMillan’s departure for the Texas A&M job. And then Kaleb Glenn will play for the Spartans next year after previously being in Boca Raton at FAU. Divine Ugochukwu transferred in from Miami as well.

This may be out of necessity given the Spartans lost multiple players to the transfer portal this offseason. However, that’s the nature of college athletics in its current landscape. Izzo concluded with a parting message to his critics on the subject.

“And all the people that are saying that I don’t want to embrace it, they’re not relationship based,” Izzo continued. “I wouldn’t give up the relationships I have, from Magic Johnson to Charlie [Bell], you know, I’ve hired like, six of my former players.

“Is that going to happen if guys come for a year and then leave, it’s not good. So watch what we wish for. Let’s figure it out. Everything moves so fast. I want to embrace what’s right for everybody to be successful, not for one year or two years, but for a lifetime.”