EAST LANSING, Mich. — Tom Izzo is staying at Michigan State, turning down a chance to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers and perhaps LeBron James.
“I knew at the beginning that whatever decision I made would be a decision for life,” Izzo said Tuesday. “I am going to be a lifer. This is what I’m going to be, and I’m damn proud of it.”
For the past nine days, Izzo has been trying to decide whether to leave the place that has been his home since 1983 and jump to the NBA to perhaps make $6 million — doubling his salary — and possibly coach one of the best basketball players in the world.
“Just as I decided to stay home, I hope a 6-8, 270-pound forward in Cleveland decides to stay home,” said Izzo, who added he did not talk to James.
Cleveland’s next option appears to be Byron Scott.
• Steve Kerr won’t return as general manager of the Phoenix Suns, saying he is “exploring a couple of possibilities” to return to television.
Haynesworth demands trade
ARLINGTON, Va. — Washington Redskins Pro Bowl defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, contending that the team has broken promises to him as it converts to a 3-4 defense, will not attend the team’s mandatory minicamp that begins this morning and wants to be traded, his representative said.
“The Redskins are trying to establish a new regime with new schemes at Redskins Park, and it is not an organization that Albert would have ever been attracted to just a short year ago — regardless of the money,” agent Chad Speck said. “He has made it clear to me that he does not want to play for the Washington Redskins.”
• The two Dallas Cowboys employees who are suing over injuries they suffered in the collapse of the team’s practice facility last year have reached out-of-court settlements with the company that built the structure.
Cowboys scout Rich Behm and special teams coach Joe DeCamillis have settled with Summit Structures LLC of Allentown, Pa., and its Canadian parent, Cover-All Building Systems Inc. Behm was paralyzed from the waist down and DeCamillis was left with a broken vertebrae after the steel and fabric building collapsed in a wind storm. The parties agreed to keep the settlement amount confidential.
Footnotes.
Hockey Hall of Famer Cam Neely will be named president of the Boston Bruins today.
• The Vancouver Canucks re-signed defenseman Aaron Rome to a two-year contract extension worth $1.5 million.
• The Montreal Canadiens bought out the final season of enforcer Georges Laraque‘s three-year, $4.5 million contract.
• Fifth-ranked Elena Dementieva pulled out of Wimbledon with a calf injury. Wimbledon starts Monday.
• Alessandro Petacchi won the fourth stage of the Tour of Switzerland, while Tony Martin of Germany retained the overall race lead despite being delayed by a spill at the end of the 119-mile ride.
• Indiana State promoted assistant Greg Lansing to succeed Kevin McKenna as its men’s basketball coach. Denver Post wire services
