Michigan State coach Tom Izzo talks about John Beilein's failure with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Feb. 24, 2020 in East Lansing. Detroit Free Press
John Beilein and Tom Izzo squared off 23 times as head coaches in the rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State.
The clash between them began when Beilein took over the Wolverines in 2007. Izzo has been the Spartans’ head coach since 1995.
Everything changed in 2019 when Beilein, 67, accepted a deal in May to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA.
He resigned last week, 54 games into his tenure.
The Cavaliers were 14-40 overall when Beilein, worn down by the losing, decided to step down with three more guaranteed years remaining on his contract.