Tom Izzo, the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans, is known for his unwavering dedication to his basketball team. He first joined the program in 1983 as an assistant coach, a role he held for 12 years before becoming the head coach in 1995. Throughout his career, Izzo has only coached at two colleges, previously working as an assistant at his alma mater, Northern Michigan, before moving to Michigan State.
However, Izzo’s loyalty doesn’t necessarily carry over into his NFL fandom. Despite being born in Michigan, he has a unique situation where he roots for both the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions, two fierce NFC North rivals. Izzo grew up near the Wisconsin-Michigan border and was initially a Packers fan. But once he started coaching at Michigan State, he began supporting the Lions, particularly when his childhood friend Steve Mariucci became the Detroit head coach in 2003.
In an interview with Kay Adams on the Up & Adams Show, Izzo shared his stance, saying, “I still like the Packers… I still root for them.” He went on to explain, “I have to adjust a little bit. Doesn’t mean I’ve lost all my loyalty. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, and since I’m in Michigan, I root for the Lions too. But I still wear my cheesehead occasionally.” While the Packers and Lions fans typically don’t get along, Izzo remains an exception to the rule.
