Bulls Head Coach - Tom Izzo?

[tornado]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AiEhLjvlox44S6_ZKMcEfmq8vLYF?slug=ys-bullscoach042208&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

"When reached on Tuesday night, Izzo told Yahoo! Sports that he hadn??™t been contacted by the Bulls, but sounded willing to discuss the job with them.

???I??™m not counting out any (job openings) because you can??™t,??? Izzo said. ???College or pro.

???I go back and forth on (coaching in the NBA),??? he continued. ???I still think it??™s the ultimate level. There is something about it. I look at it and say, ???It??™s a real challenge.??™ But I love what I do too. I go down and look at what the Pistons (coaches) do in preparation and I think, ???That??™s insane.??™

???But I look at what I do in terms of recruiting and I think, ???That??™s insane.??™ ???

The Bulls are under the impression, sources said, that Izzo is eager to speak with them. Some believe he has grown restless in East Lansing, and it??™s believed he would??™ve become the Kansas coach had Bill Self taken the Oklahoma State job."
This could make Izzo, 53, a wild card in this search."

[Bravesfan]

Wow! That would be a great hire, though with the history of performance of ex-college coaches in the NBA, this would not guarrantee a championship. But at least he could clean up the mess that exists now. Of course, Skiles had a similar demeanor as Izzo, so who knows how long it would take before the players quit on Izzo as well. Such is the life of the overpaid egos that dominate the NBA these days.

[mportsch]

Wow, I had no idea Izzo was open to leaving Michigan State. He should have a great team next season, so this is somewhat surprising. It will be interesting to see what happens.

[SFP]

Such is the life of the overpaid egos that dominate the NBA these days.

I hate to say it but the college game is starting to get a bunch of overpaid ego driven players. Imagine recruiting todays McDonald All Americans. INSANE

[BUBraves06]

This news really surprises me, but as a Bulls fan I'd love for Paxon to go after Izzo.

[Scouter]

Who's the last coach that had a successful run in the NBA after leaving a college program? Rick Pitino, John Calipari, Lon Kruger and Mike Montgomery weren't exactly successful in their stints. Oh, Tim Floyd too. I think Izzo would be wise to stay away.

[houstontxbrave]

The Bulls could bring in John Wooden and it would not matter.

That team was probably one of the worst attitude teams in the NBA. They respected no one nor did they respect the game. Nothing but a bunch of quiters.

Until Paxson address this group and makes serious changes to attitudes this current group will have no respect for anyone let alone a college coach regardless of his level of success in the college game.

Izzo would be making a huge mistake and I really think Chicago would also if he went for it and became the head coach.

They need a hard core NBA guy who wont take anything from these players and is someone they must respect... no idea beyond Jackson, Popovich, Sloan if that person exists in this world.

[houstontxbrave]

Who's the last coach that had a successful run in the NBA after leaving a college program? Rick Pitino, John Calipari, Lon Kruger and Mike Montgomery weren't exactly successful in their stints. Oh, Tim Floyd too. I think Izzo would be wise to stay away.

Maybe Reggie Theus?

[Braves4Life]

If the Bulls want to make a "splash" they will bring "The Chosen One", "The Messiah" home!

Coach K, are you listening? I'll bet he is!

[Scouter]

Maybe Reggie Theus?

I'd say 38-44 in one season hardly qualifies as a successful run.

[mike radigan]

I really liked Pax when he was playing for Da Bulls. I have to admit now though that he just hasn't done the job as gm. Yeah the coach was the one who took the fall, but just maybe it should have been Pax. I think they have to right the ship in a hurry or his time should be up.

[tornado]

More

http://indiana.scout.com/a.z?s=170&p=2&c=748941

""I??™m not counting out ...???I go back and forth on (coaching in the NBA)

According to those reports, Izzo would have taken the Kansas job has Bill Self left for Oklahomas State."

Is Izzo really tiring of East Lansing? Is he ready to make the jump to the NBA? Would he really leave MSU ..."

[lefty]

Who's the last coach that had a successful run in the NBA after leaving a college program? Rick Pitino, John Calipari, Lon Kruger and Mike Montgomery weren't exactly successful in their stints. Oh, Tim Floyd too. I think Izzo would be wise to stay away.

So what's so bad with those coach's path?....nothing...throw Tim Floyd in to the mix and they all got big contracts in the pros and end up with pretty good college jobs.....Izzo gets a deal that takes him to almost 60 and if it doesn't work he would get a top college job anyway....it would be a no brainer for him if he doesn't mind dealing with all egos.

[houstontxbrave]

I'd say 38-44 in one season hardly qualifies as a successful run.

It was a 5 game improvement from the year before so for Sactown it was successful. I was though just throwing out a name.

[ph]

JR is a great owner, 6 NBA championships and 1 MLB Championship with the White Sox. I know this has been done before - Pax should become the coach and hire a new GM that can evaluate talent better than him. JR is a loyal man, if it does not work out Pax can go back to the GM. JR - the best owner Chicago has ever had and he hired one of our own (JK) as GM, DON'T DISPUTE THAT.

JR got very, very, very, very lucky to get MJ as 3rd pick. Yes, he eventually made the most of it, but if he had the #2 pick would 6 world championships ever happen? Doubtful.

He was also very shrewd in signing MJ and Pippin to long term contracts when their rate was quite low. (although ticked off many players and fans in the process)

Better owner in Chicago than "Papa Bear" Halas? that's outright blasphemy, and a darn slippery slope.