Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, 71, emphatically shuts down retirement talk after Sweet 16 loss

Michigan State caput coach Tom Izzo will not beryllium retiring anytime soon.

The 71-year-old caput coach was asked what he would beryllium doing successful 5 years aft his team’s 67-63 nonaccomplishment to UConn successful nan NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16, and he brushed disconnected nan anticipation of retirement.

"Trying to triumph a national championship — plain and simple," Izzo told reporters.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Michigan State caput coach Tom Izzo reacts during nan first half against North Dakota State successful nan first information of nan NCAA Tournament successful Buffalo, New York, connected March 19, 2026. (Yuki Iwamura/AP Photo)

"We each talk astir retirement," Izzo said. "Why? What nan hellhole americium I going to do? The infinitesimal I don't consciousness good, nan infinitesimal I don't consciousness for illustration I'm giving my AD aliases president aliases schoolhouse each ounce of power I person each time aliases that power drops, you don't person to interest astir it. I don't bargain money. I won't bargain anybody's time."

Izzo said he still has immoderate things that he wants to execute earlier calling it a career. He said that he would beryllium going into nan portal nan time aft nan team’s loss.

FORMER UNC BASKETBALL STAR KENNY SMITH REACTS TO HUBERT DAVIS' FIRING, SHUTS DOWN COACHING JOB INTEREST

Michigan State caput coach Tom Izzo reacts during nan 2nd half against Louisville successful nan 2nd information of nan NCAA Tournament successful Buffalo, New York, connected March 21, 2026. (Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP Photo)

"Tomorrow I'm going to nan portal," Izzo said. "The only quality is nan portal astatine Michigan State is different than nan portal astatine astir places. I'm going correct to my frickin' locker room, and I'm going to talk to each and each subordinate correct there. I'm going to make immoderate decisions astir what we're going to do that I consciousness very comfortable with."

The Iron Mountain, Michigan, autochthonal said that he has 7 aliases 8 guys returning adjacent season, on pinch a recruiting people he feels bully about.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Michigan State caput coach Tom Izzo yells during nan 2nd half of a Sweet 16 crippled successful nan NCAA Tournament against UConn successful Washington, District of Columbia, connected March 27, 2026. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP Photo)

Izzo began coaching astatine Michigan State successful nan 1995-96 play and has been nan team’s caput coach ever since. He has amassed a 764-310 record, including a 61-27 grounds successful nan NCAA Tournament. Michigan State went 27-8 this season.

"I'm nan luckiest feline successful nan world. I'm conscionable not fortunate capable to beryllium playing connected Sunday," Izzo said. "I'll get to play connected different Sunday. Hang around."

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X, and subscribe to nan Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.