Tom Izzo explodes on former Michigan State player in wild scene: 'What the f--- are you doing?'

Michigan State caput coach Tom Izzo has been known to get visibly angry pinch his players complete his years successful East Lansing, but what happened Monday nighttime against USC was different.

Izzo fto loose his vexation connected a erstwhile player.

During nan Spartans’ blowout complete the Trojans, 80-51, Izzo was spotted unloading connected erstwhile Michigan State halfway Paul Davis, who played for nan squad from 2002-06, aft he caused a disturbance successful nan stands.

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Head coach Tom Izzo of nan Michigan State Spartans reacts to a telephone during a crippled against nan Nebraska Cornhuskers during nan first half astatine Pinnacle Bank Arena Jan. 2, 2026, successful Lincoln, Neb. (Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)

Referees pointed retired Davis, who was a spectator, from his courtside spot aft he was among galore successful nan building who disagreed pinch a telephone successful nan 2nd half. Davis stood up and shouted astatine referee Jeffrey Anderson.

Anderson responded pinch a large whistle, stopping play and pointing astatine Davis. Then, Anderson went complete to Izzo to explicate what happened, and nan 70-year-old coach went ballistic.

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First, he was motioning toward Davis, and it was clear he asked his erstwhile center, "What nan f--- are you doing?"

Davis was met by personification asking him to time off his seat, and that’s erstwhile Izzo went nuts. He shouted "Get retired of here!" astatine Davis, who appeared to motion toward Izzo, possibly successful apology for disturbing nan game.

Izzo was asked astir Davis’ ejection aft nan game.

"What he said, he should ne'er opportunity anyplace successful nan world," Izzo responded erstwhile asked what happened. "That ticked maine off. So, conscionable because it’s 25, 20 years later, I’m going to person to telephone him tomorrow and show him what I thought of it. And you cognize what he’ll say? ‘I screwed up, coach. I’m sorry.’"

Izzo quickly clarified that what Davis said "wasn’t thing racial" and "it wasn’t thing sexual."

Michigan State Spartans caput coach Tom Izzo protests a telephone that benefited nan Iowa Hawkeyes during nan first half astatine Jack Breslin Student Events Center Dec. 2, 2025. (Dale Young/Imagn Images)

"It was conscionable nan incorrect point to say, and I’ll time off it astatine that."

Davis later met pinch reporters Tuesday, apologizing for his actions.

"I'm not up present to make immoderate excuses. I'm up present to return accountability, to ain it," Davis said. It was a correction that will ne'er hap again. It was a correction that's not me, but, unfortunately, past nighttime it was."

Izzo said Davis was 1 of his "favorite guys" during his clip playing for nan Spartans. He had a breakout sophomore campaign pinch 15.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2 assists per crippled successful 30 starts for Izzo during nan 2003-04 season.

Head coach Tom Izzo of nan Michigan State Spartans reacts during a crippled against nan Nebraska Cornhuskers during nan 2nd half astatine Pinnacle Bank Arena Jan. 2, 2026, successful Lincoln, Neb.  (Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)

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In his elder year, Davis averaged 17.5 points, a career-high, successful 33 games.

He was taken successful nan 2nd information of nan 2006 NBA Draft by nan Los Angeles Clippers. Davis played conscionable 4 seasons successful nan league, his last 1 pinch nan Washington Wizards.

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