Tom Izzo on coaching philosophy, NCAA evolution and Muhammad Ali | FULL INTERVIEW

As his team prepares for a Sweet 16 matchup, we're making our full interview with Michigan State heads coach Tom Izzo live. The coaching legend explains how his Italian ancestry shaped his coaching philosophies - centered on hard work, tough love and emotion - and walks us through the long-tailed grind that got him to the top of his craft.
#marchmadness #muhammadali #coaching
0:00 Meeting wife Lupe
3:30 Family Background
8:15 Relationship with Steve Mariucci
16:39 Coaching Journey
22:09 Emotional Losses/Regrets
27:22 Muhammad Ali
34:56 Son’s Adoption
40:05 Coaching His Son/Being A Present Father
46:33 Michigan State Scandal/Larry Nassar
54:05 Mentality and Expectations
57:08 Coaching Process and Accountability
1:06:11 Transfer Portal and NIL
1:09:50 NBA Interest/Retirement
1:17:38 House Tour
1:22:35 Campus Walk
Episode debuted nationwide in 2022.

[@PaulieVavoom]

Great interview. I'm not a Michigan State fan, being from Wisconsin, but I've always had immense respect and admiration for Tom Izzo and what he's done for the Michigan State men's basketball prgram over the years. The world needs more great leaders like Tom Izzo.

[@WingsofReality1]

This was one of the best interviews that I have seen in a while.

[@CommonCeNtsTony]

I see this comment in many of his interviews. I saw the interview with Mike Tyson. Been hooked ever since.

[@kjcoach12]

Graham you handled this beautifully. I’m a big Izzo fan and now a big Graham Bensinger fan!

[@michaelstorayii7197]

Coach Izzo! Great interview. Go Green!

[@DetroitJim97]

Great interview!!!

[@barneyrubble4827]

Hey Tom! Emil Izzo was my grandpa, married to Alice. My dad was Francis Emil Izzo. He too worked in the shoe shop & at uncle Louie's pool hall. Great interview! Steven Francis Izzo

[@lastphcm]

Pretty cool Coach giving Graham a Pat on the back for he’s preparation. Can’t turn off being a coach.

[@spg1026]

Graham is a great interviewer but this may be his best job yet. The Ali stories may be why I say this. Unbelievable how much anyone who isn’t Muhammad Ali cherishes the time spent with Ali.

[@richardhunsaker6112]

I remember when Coach Izzo challenged my alma mater and its really poor AD for the way in which Bruce Weber was fired. Izzo has some high standards, loyalty and friendship chief among them. Following his example might be a path to getting us back to a more responsible and moral society.

[@Spartan_Dawg_4_Life]

I love his repeated uses of the phrase "What the hell..." during this interview! 😂

[@william53]

Very nice!

[@Spartan_AG_999]

Tom Izzo is the Billy Goat 🐐

[@mikewilkins2030]

34:30 Listen PPL. Kill that ego and pride! We are all dust! Love, encourage, lift up, help the needy and stay far from evil!

[@celtics2008champs1]

Nice interview, it would be MUCH better for the viewer if you had TIME STAMPS so one could see the parts they are really interested in, otherwise most won't spend well over an hour w/ads to watch these videos.

[@mikewilkins2030]

27:23 Ali!