Michigan State AD: Cavaliers have not made contract offer to Spartans Coach Tom Izzo

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Michigan State Athletic Director Mark Hollis told the Associated Press that the Cleveland Cavaliers have not made an offer to Spartans Coach Tom Izzo.

Hollis’ comments were in response to a report Monday by the News-Herald of Willoughby, Ohio, that the Cavaliers had made Izzo an offer to replace recently fired head Coach Mike Brown.

‘There is not a contract offer on the table,’ Hollis said. ‘Last week, there was talk that Chicago and New Jersey were interested. If I was anywhere but at Michigan State, I would be interested in Tom, too, because he’s the best coach in college basketball.’

According to The News-Herald’s anonymous source, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, a Michigan State graduate, wants Izzo desperately.

Gilbert said in an e-mail to the Associated Press the team’s policy not to comment on ‘any rumor about potential new hires, trades, free agent signing, etc.’

Izzo led the Spartans to the Final Four this year for the sixth time in 12 seasons. He makes more than $3 million a season and is under contract through 2016.

--- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.