Bucks assistant Sampson on Cavs coaching list [Archive]

KidCongo

06-07-2010, 01:00 AM

http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2010/06/06/sports/nh2604471.txt

The Cavaliers want to make a big splash with their next coaching hire.

According to a league source, they are centering their efforts on bringing in Michigan State coach Tom Izzo.

In fact, they've already made him an offer to be their coach, the source said. It's going to take a lot of money to convince Izzo to leave the confines of the college ranks.

Izzo, 55, is a four-time national Coach of the Year. Under his leadership, the Spartans captured the 2000 NCAA title, won or shared six Big Ten crowns and two conference tournament championships.

His teams have been to the Final Four six times and to the NCAA tournament 13 years in a row.

The Cavs' recruiting efforts have been done behind the scenes. The source said Cavs owner Dan Gilbert wants Izzo desperately.

"He has been talked about before in this way and will be again," Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis told The Associated Press when Izzo's name was linked to an opening at the University of Oregon. "We have to consider that part of the deal when you have the best college basketball coach in the country. I talk to him all the time and I know he is totally focused on winning another national championship and taking the program to a higher level."

Izzo, who makes an estimated $3 million a year, is under contract at Michigan State through 2016.

He has some great qualities as a coach, starting with the fact he's a high-character guy. His in-your-face style, though, might not work in the NBA.

He's fiery and very explosive at times. Izzo demands his players compete, hustle and play defense.

All that works well in the college ranks, but it might not translate into professional basketball, where some of the players make $15 million to $20 million a season.

Gilbert graduated from Michigan State and holds Izzo in high regard. Many of the Cleveland-area media outlets had Izzo on their coaching wish lists when Mike Brown was fired on May 23. Yahoo! Sports reported on Sunday Izzo is the Cavs' No. 1 priority, and that was confirmed by The News-Herald.

Most of the college coaches who have come to the NBA have failed.

The Cavs might think they need a coach of Izzo's stature to help re-sign free-agent-to-be LeBron James.

Gilbert said last Friday that he hopes to have a coach in place by July 1, the first day of free agency. He said that might not be possible.