Tom Izzo advocates for patience with young coaches

Tom Izzo, the Michigan State basketball coach, believes it's important to support young coaches like Richard Pitino, who is now at New Mexico. Both coaches have strong ties to the sport, and Izzo, who has led Michigan State since 1995, values the need for patience and support in coaching. Izzo and Pitino have a shared history in college basketball. While Izzo has built a legacy at Michigan State, Rick Pitino, Richard's father, has coached at several prestigious programs. Richard Pitino has faced challenges during his career. He spent eight years at Minnesota, where he had mixed results before getting fired. Richard appreciates Izzo's support during his tough times at Minnesota. Izzo stood up for him when he was under pressure, demonstrating a commitment to helping younger coaches succeed. Izzo understands the difficulties of coaching and uses his experience to assist others in the profession. Izzo noted that in today's coaching climate, he might not have had the same success early in his career. He recognizes that coaching styles and expectations have changed, making it harder for newer coaches to establish themselves. He believes it is his responsibility to advocate for young coaches doing things the right way. After a challenging first season at New Mexico, Richard Pitino has found success. His team made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, something the program hadn't achieved since 2014. As they prepare to face Michigan State in the tournament, both coaches have mutual respect for each other, even if they won't show it on the court. Izzo emphasized that while they respect each other, they will compete fiercely during the game. Their relationship highlights the importance of mentorship and support in college basketball.