Tom Izzo has coached Michigan State to another Final Four, his ninth in 24 seasons as the Spartans’ head coach.
And Izzo again has reminded me of another coach. Bob Stoops.
Stoops retired from OU football in June 2017, after 18 years coaching the Sooners. There are many parallels between Stoops and Izzo.
Upper Midwest upbringing. Became a head coach at a big-name school at a relatively young age (Izzo was 40 when promoted at Michigan State; Stoops was 38 when hired by OU). Won the 2000 national championship in their respective sports, cementing their status.