In a season marked by historic milestones and enduring excellence, Michigan State’s Tom Izzo has been named the 2025 Big Ten Coach of the Year, capping a remarkable 30th season at the helm of the Spartans. At 70, Izzo becomes the oldest recipient of the award since its inception in 1977, earning the honor for the fourth time in his illustrious career .
Izzo guided the Spartans to a 30–7 overall record and a 17–3 mark in Big Ten play, securing the program’s 11th regular-season conference title under his leadership. The 17 conference victories set a new school record, and the team finished three games ahead of second-place Maryland and Michigan .
This season, Izzo also surpassed Bob Knight for the most Big Ten regular-season wins in history, achieving his 354th conference victory with a 79–65 win over Illinois on February 15 . The Spartans advanced to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament, marking their 16th Sweet Sixteen appearance under Izzo and extending their NCAA Tournament streak to 27 consecutive seasons—the longest active streak in Division I basketball .
Reflecting on the season, Izzo credited his players and coaching staff for the team’s success. “You don’t win these without your staff and your players; they win the award,” Izzo said. “We preach to our players all the time, if the team has success, the individuals within the team will have success” .
As Michigan State continues to thrive under his guidance, Tom Izzo’s legacy as one of college basketball’s most influential figures remains firmly intact.
