East Lansing, MI — June 26, 2025
Tom Izzo Makes Blockbuster Hire, Adds Former Legendary Big Ten Head Coach to Michigan State Staff in Bold Championship Push
EAST LANSING — In a move that’s shaking up the mid‑June coaching carousel, Michigan State University’s storied men’s basketball program has landed a seismic hire. Spartan head coach Tom Izzo has officially announced that he is bringing in former Big Ten head coach and championship-winning icon, Scott Drew, to join his staff as Associate Head Coach. This strategic pairing—lawyered in late afternoon at the Breslin Center press room—is positioning MSU for a high-powered campaign aiming squarely at the 2025‑26 Big Ten title and an NCAA tournament run.
Why Scott Drew?
Scott Drew, 60, spent 20 years building Baylor University from a dusty post‑scandal laughingstock to a perennial Final Four contender and 2021 national champion. Under Drew, Baylor secured three NCAA Sweet Sixteens, two Elite Eights, one Final Four, and the long-elusive national title. His reputation as a transformative architect of program culture, elite recruiting, and player development is universally respected across college basketball circles.
Izzo’s hire statement applauded Drew’s “vision, championship DNA, and knack for defense–to–offense transition excellence.” Analysts note Drew’s defensive schemes, which transformed Baylor into one of the nation’s stingiest defenses, dovetail well with Michigan State’s rugged, grind-it-out identity. Critics maintain, however, that Drew’s aggressive recruiting in Texas might conflict with Spartan traditions—though Izzo signaled full alignment, saying, “Scott’s vision for molding young men aligns perfectly with our Spartan values.”
Contract and Compensation
Drew reportedly signed a five-year, $4 million contract as Associate Head Coach, with steep incentives tied to conference finishes, NCAA performance, and a back-end bonus should MSU reach the Final Four or win the national championship. Sources close to the situation say Drew will also play a leading role in backend recruiting operations, especially in the Midwest and Texas, as the Spartans seek to expand their footprint beyond the state.
What This Means for MSU
Inside sources say Drew will overhaul the defense with advanced analytics, install fast-break continuity drills integrated with Izzo’s toughness-first playbook, and enhance MSU’s Big Man Development track record. Players like sophomore guard Jamal Geist and center Rasheed Reeves have reportedly voiced enthusiasm about the addition, with Reeves calling it “next-level mentorship for our bigs.”
Rival Big Ten programs are already on notice. The powerhouse coaching tandem of Izzo and Drew creates what ESPN’s Jeff Goodman dubbed “a strategic threat the league can’t ignore.” MSU Athletic Director Alan Haller said the hire “signals to recruits and competitors alike that we’re all‑in on building a modern, elite basketball program rooted in Spartan grit.”
Looking Ahead
Summer practices begin August 1, and the Spartans will be immersed in defensive drills under Drew’s watch. MSU opens the 2025‑26 season at home against UConn on November 7—a visit scheduled months in advance, now taking on new significance with Drew’s defensive oversight.
As the Spartans aim to reclaim Big Ten dominance and push deeper than the second weekend in the NCAA tournament, the Izzo–Drew partnership will be one of the most fascinating coaching collaborations in recent memory. If nothing else, East Lansing’s elite basketball folklore just added another electrifying chapter.
