Tom Izzo says he seriously considered Suns job before turning it down last year

The Suns nearly made a massive swing last year.

Before hiring Jordan Ott, Phoenix had its sights set on a much bigger name. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo says he was offered the job and strongly considered it.

“That was hard,” Izzo said on the Dan Patrick Show. “We talked seriously about it.”

Suns owner Mat Ishbia, a former Michigan State player under Izzo, was behind the push. It fits his style. Big moves. Big names. Bringing in Izzo would’ve been exactly that.

Instead, the Suns went another route.

They hired Ott, another Michigan State connection, and he’s delivered. The turnaround has been real, even without the headline-grabbing hire.

Still, Izzo gave it real thought.

Part of it was the relationship with Ishbia. Part of it was frustration with where college sports are headed. Izzo didn’t hold back there.

“I don’t like what’s going on in college athletics,” he said, pointing to NIL and constant player movement.

That opened the door, at least for a moment.

Izzo, 71, has been at Michigan State since 1995, building one of the most consistent programs in the country. Eight Final Fours. Nearly three decades of tournament appearances. He’s not exactly looking for a change.

But he didn’t shut it down right away either.

In the end, he stayed. The Suns moved on. Ott got the job. And things have worked out.

Still, it’s hard not to wonder what that would’ve looked like. Izzo in the NBA wasn’t just talk. It was close.