Izzo staying at Michigan State

Michigan State Tom Izzo has spurned yet another NBA opportunity.

MORE IZZO COVERAGE

• Izzo to stay at MSU
• Goodman: MSU right fit for Izzo
• Izzo: 'I am going to be a lifer'
• Goodman video: Gamble avoided
• Video: Izzo explains his decision

The 55-year-old Spartans coach turned down the Cleveland Cavaliers job Tuesday — largely due to the uncertainty of whether NBA star LeBron James will re-sign with the team.

"I knew at the beginning that whatever decision I made would be a decision for life," Izzo said during a news conference on campus.

"I am going to be a lifer. This is what I'm going to be, and I'm damn proud of it."

Izzo, who has led the Spartans to six Final Fours in the past 12 years, met with Cavaliers officials on Thursday.

"Just as I decided to stay home, I hope a 6-8, 270-pound forward in Cleveland decides to stay home," Izzo said in a statement Tuesday.

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, a Michigan State alum, offered Izzo a deal worth in the neighborhood of $6 million per year.

"I’m no different than any other successful coach in that I’ve had multiple inquiries before, but this one was uniquely intriguing," Izzo added. "There was a lot of information to gather and consider and some of it wasn’t easily obtainable. But when making a life decision, I owed it to myself and my family to do my due diligence. From that I never wavered. And I’m pleased to say I am here for life at Michigan State."

Miami bound

The most coveted free agent in NBA history made his choice. Now what? Keep up with everything you need to know about the Summer of LeBron.

Izzo has had multiple inquiries from NBA teams since winning the national title in 2000. However, sources close to Izzo said the latest — from Cleveland — had Izzo seriously contemplating leaving East Lansing, where he has been the head coach for the past 15 years and sports a 364-146 record.

“This is the closest he has ever come to leaving,” said one source close to Izzo.

But ultimately, Izzo was uncomfortable with taking the job and not having enough information on whether James would remain in Cleveland.

"How many more offers do you get? How many more opportunities?" Izzo said. "People asked 'Why would you want to leave?' I didn't. I didn't want to leave."

With James in the mix, the Cavs job is regarded as one of the best in the NBA and would have given Izzo an opportunity to compete for an NBA title immediately.

However, if James elected to play elsewhere, Izzo would have become the latest college coach to leave for a subpar NBA job — following guys like Tim Floyd (Chicago), Mike Montgomery (Golden State) and Reggie Theus (Sacramento).

"I thought playing one-on-one with LeBron James every day would be a good thing," Izzo said.

James officially becomes a free agent on July 1.

Izzo would have replaced Mike Brown, who was fired after five seasons and a 272-138 record. The Cavs also parted ways with general manager Danny Ferry and replaced him with assistant Chris Grant.

"The entire Cleveland Cavalier organization has nothing but respect and admiration for Coach Izzo and his family," Gilbert said in a statement. "Tom is a special person in so many unique and positive ways. We only wish great things for him and his family in all the years ahead."

Now, Izzo returns to East Lansing, where he has a team capable of returning to the Final Four this season for a third straight year.

"It's a great day, knowing he's coming back," said Mateen Cleaves, perhaps Izzo's favorite player and one of the stars from his 2000 national championship team. "It put the biggest smile on my face to know he's coming back."

According to several reports, the Cavs may target former New Jersey Nets coach Byron Scott for their open position.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.