Tom Izzo 'looked' at Phoenix Suns head coaching job last offseason

Tom Izzohas become synonymous withmen's college basketballandMichigan Stateover the course of his three decades in East Lansing and the Big Ten.

So, would he ever leavethe Spartansfor sayan NBAjob?

In an appearance on "The Dan Patrick Show" on Wednesday, April 1, the Hall of Fame coach said he had discussed taking an NBA job last year to coachthe Phoenix Suns,who are owned by his former Michigan State walk-on, Mat Ishbia. No, this is not an April Fool's joke.

"I've had more than a couple of job offers in the NBA, and looked at one last year with Phoenix. You know my former player, Mat Ishbia, and that was hard," Izzo said. "That was a hard thing to turn down because No. 1, I kind of wanted to go with him ..."

REQUIRED READING:Is Tom Izzo retiring? Michigan State coach has 'some things to accomplish'

Interrupted by Dan Patrick mid-thought and asked whether the Suns offered him the job, Izzo said, "We talked seriously" about the position.

"... And then No. 2, I have been pretty vocal about it, I don't like what's going on in college athletics," Izzo continued with his original thought. "But by the way, neither do 99.98% of the football and basketball coaches in America. And I think the kids are going to still find out before it is done that it isn't best for them either."

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The Suns haven't been the only NBA team to express interest in Izzo, who ranks 20th in career wins among Division I men's college basketball coaches (764) and has eight Final Fours and a national championship on his resume. As alluded to in the clip, the Cleveland Cavaliers, owned by another Michigan State alum, Dan Gilbert, expressed interest in Izzo in the past.That interest from the Cavaliers came in 2010.

As noted by the Detroit Free Press,part of the USA TODAY Network, The Athletic reported in February that Ishbia had asked Izzo if he was interested in leaving Michigan State for a job in the NBA, but the understanding was that Izzo didn't take it all that seriously.

Izzo just led theSpartanstotheir 17th career Sweet 16 appearancein his three-decade tenure, where they fell to No. 2 UConn 67-63 despite a valiant second-half comeback. He's led Michigan State to 28 consecutive trips to the Men's NCAA Tournament, which is theNCAA Division I record for most consecutive March Madness appearances.

Whether it be entertaining another NBA job or continuing to coach at Michigan State, the 71-year-old isn't retiring anytime soon, either.He addressed that topicafter the Spartans' loss, which extended the program's Final Four drought to seven years.

"... It's sure as hell not going to be now," Izzo said on Friday, March 27. "I've got some things to accomplish."

He added: "I said a couple years ago that I'll find a way to get back there. We've knocked on the door twice. We haven't gotten back. We'll get back."

Iowa State Cyclones fans cheer against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 22, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Nebraska's Berke Buyuktuncel celebrates with fans following a second-round game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament between Nebraska Cornhuskers and Vanderbilt Commodores at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on March 21, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Arkansas Razorbacks cheerleaders in the second half against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Ore.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A Texas Christian University Horned Frogs cheerleader practices before the game during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.

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Iowa State Cyclones fans cheer against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournamentat Enterprise Center on March 22, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Tom Izzo to NBA? Michigan State coach 'looked' at Suns job last year

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

April 01, 2026

Tom Izzo 'looked' at Phoenix Suns head coaching job last offseason

Tom Izzohas become synonymous withmen's college basketballandMichigan Stateover the course of his three decades in Ea...

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Former College Football Player Jack Pugh Dead at 24 After Quitting the Sport for His Mental Health

Former Wisconsin football tight end Jack Pugh has died

NEED TO KNOW

• The school confirmed Pugh's death in a post on social media

• Pugh, 24, retired due to mental health reasons in 2023

Former Wisconsin football player Jack Pugh has died, the school confirmed. He was 24.Pugh played tight end for the Badgers from 2021-2023 before retiring due to mental health reasons,theMilwaukee Journal Sentinelreported.No cause of death has been released at this time.Wisconsin football shared a tribute to the former player on X late Tuesday, March 31."The Wisconsin athletics family is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Pugh,"the school said. "Jack was a positive light and brought a genuine spirit to our football program. More than that, he cared about people and was loved by his teammates and staff. Jack proudly earned his degree from UW-Madison in 2025 and will forever be remembered and loved."The Columbus, Ohio native was a four-star recruit for the Badgers despite only playing football for his final two years in high school.

Pugh was highly recruited by Michigan, Penn State, Michigan State, Maryland and Minnesota, according to theJournal Sentinel.In 2023, Pugh announced his retirement on Instagram.

"My physical health was not near perfect, but my mental health was the reason I decided to hang it up," he posted at the time. "Over years of prolonged depression and substance abuse, I decided I deserved a better life and to finally find happiness."

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He continued, "In no way was football the root of these problems, but everything in my life had distracted me for so long to the point I didn't want to be alive for years. I never had prioritized my mental health all along, digging a deeper darker hole."

Pugh went on to thank his coaches, teammates and others for their support."I'll never forget the memories. Love y'all," he wrote.Pugh's former teammate, New York Jets running back Braelon Allen, shared the news of his death on social media on Monday night, and added a message to his followers."Protect your mental,"he wrote on X.

Read the original article onPeople

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

April 01, 2026

Former College Football Player Jack Pugh Dead at 24 After Quitting the Sport for His Mental Health

Former Wisconsin football tight end Jack Pugh has died NEED TO KNOW The school confirmed Pugh's death in a...

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Jalen Hurts has long resisted change. A new play caller will force him to adapt

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts faces far more uncertainty in 2026 than a player with his résumé should warrant. But after a rocky season — in which the Eagles fell to 19th in scoring and endured multiple bouts of frustration from star wideout A.J. Brown — there's some pressure on Hurts to get the offense back to its elite ways.

That's going to require change, something theteam signaled when it firedlast season's offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo and replaced him with Sean Mannion. While Mannion is unproven as a coordinator, he's expected to run an offense that features motion and under-center play-action passes, something the Eagles have not embraced during the Hurts era.

In order for that to be a success, it's going to require change on the quarterback's end as well, something he's been hesitant to take on since joining the NFL, per Tim McManus and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, who spoke to multiple sources about Hurts' 2025 season.

While some anonymous quotes still showed support for Hurts, others painted the quarterback as a player whoresists change and won't step outside his comfort zone, even in cases where it might make the team's offense more functional.

[Hurts] has pushed back on changes that would diversify the scheme, sources said, including when it comes to him going under center more. He has shown a reluctance to let it rip at times, particularly against zone coverage. He diverts from the game plan and changes playcalls to what some feel is an excessive degree. His strong preferences, coupled with the coaches' efforts to play to his strengths, which include his deep-ball accuracy and throws to the perimeter, limit the breadth to which the offense can expand -- or at least that's the way it has gone in the past.

That's Mannion's problem now. The former quarterback-turned-coach came up under Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur, who is a member of the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree. Shanahan's offense is heavily reliant on motion and under-center play-action, meaning Hurts is going to have to be uncomfortable if he's going to run Mannion's offense.

It's unclear how that will go. While a source close to Hurts told ESPN the quarterback isn't opposed to running plays with "motions and shifts," others said Hurts "continually fights" playing under center and doesn't like to "turn his back on the defense," something Patullo reportedly wanted Hurts to do more of during the 2025 season.

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Patullo and Hurts seemingly never got on the same page, leading to the Eagles' offense disappointing in 2025. After finishing seventh in points scored in 2024, the team fell all the way to 19th in 2025. It still made the playoffs, but those offensive shortcomings were exposed in a 23-19 loss to the San Fransisco 49ers — a team coached by Shanahan.

The man at the center of the team's offensive production in 2024 — then-offensive coordinator Kellen Moore — reportedly was able to compromise with Hurts that season, getting the team to rank 11th in motion plays. But Moore's relationship with Hurts was reportedly "tense," per ESPN.

If there was tension between the two, it didn't simmer long enough to come to a head. Following a successful year as the team's offensive coordinator, Moore left to be the head coach for the New Orleans Saints. In his first season in New Orleans, Moore's Saints ranked sixth in the NFL in motion plays.

In order to prevent similar issues between Hurts and Mannion, the quarterback will need to embrace concepts he's reportedly bristled at in the past. It might be the perfect time for that to happen, as the quarterback is reportedly "as open as he's ever been" to change, per ESPN.

Despite the team's offensive struggles in 2025, Hurts still managed to put up strong numbers. While his completion percentage dropped, Hurts threw for more yards and passing touchdowns in 2025 compared to 2024.

Hurts' stats have rarely been the issue. The quarterback is a three-time Pro Bowler who seems to elevate his game when it matters most. Hurts turned in two phenomenal performances in the Eagles' Super Bowl appearances, winning the game's MVP award afterleading the Eagles to a 40-22 winover the Kansas City Chiefs at the end of the 2024 NFL season.

A quarterback of that caliber shouldn't enter 2026 on shaky footing, but that speaks to how poorly things went for the Eagles last year. After a disappointing season, much-needed change is coming to the Eagles in 2026. Whether the team can get back to its elite ways on offense could depend on whether Hurts is ready to embrace concepts he's seemingly shied away from in the past.

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

April 01, 2026

Jalen Hurts has long resisted change. A new play caller will force him to adapt

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts faces far more uncertainty in 2026 than a player with his résumé should warra...

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Ilona Maher headlines ESPN's Final Four women's basketball alt-cast

U.S. Olympic rugby starIlona Maherwill be the featured guest on ESPN's newly announced alt-cast for the NCAA Women's Final Four.

The network − which is broadcasting the NCAA Tournament semifinals on Friday, April 3 and the women's national championship game on Sunday, April 5 − will have Jess Sims hosting "Courtside at the Women's Final Four," airing on ESPN 2 for the semis and ESPN for the final.

Maher, a member of theUSA's bronze medal-winning teamat the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, will be among a rotating cast of guests, along with ESPN reporter and content creator Katie Feeney.

"I'm incredibly excited to be joining ESPN's 'Courtside'in its first year,"Maher in an ESPN news release. "As a champion of women's sports, I cannot wait to be part of ESPN's presentation of women's basketball on the biggest stage. We are going to see some fantastic games and we're ready to have some fun right next to the action."

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The Alabama bench celebrate after a big three-point shot by Alabama Crimson Tide guard Karly Weathers (22) in the fourth quarter against Louisville during the 2026 NCAA Women's March Madness Second Round basketball at the KFC Yum Center In Louisville, Ky. Weathers finished with 13 points. March 23, 2026.

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See women's March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

The Alabama bench celebrate after a big three-point shot by Alabama Crimson Tide guard Karly Weathers (22) in the fourth quarter against Louisville during the2026 NCAA Women's March MadnessSecond Round basketball at the KFC Yum Center In Louisville, Ky. Weathers finished with 13 points. March 23, 2026.

The alt-cast will run concurrently with the network's main broadcast of the Final Four (on ESPN) on Friday evening and national championship (on ABC) Sunday afternoon.

Also joining the alt-cast are Minnesota Lynx players Natisha Hiedemanand Courtney Williams − known as the StudBudz to fans of their popular Twitch channel.

In addition, six-time WNBA All-Star Chelsea Gray will join Sims and Maher as a guest analyst for the title game. The Las Vegas Aces guard is a four-time WNBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist.

"'Courtside' will deliver a fresh, authentic perspective on the game," said Meg Aronowitz, ESPN senior vice president of production. "By placing this group right at courtside, we're creating an immersive experience that brings fans closer than ever – capturing the energy of the arena while also delivering insight, personality and fun."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Ilona Maher joins ESPN alt-cast for Women's Final 4 March Madnss

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

April 01, 2026

Ilona Maher headlines ESPN's Final Four women's basketball alt-cast

U.S. Olympic rugby starIlona Maherwill be the featured guest on ESPN's newly announced alt-cast for the NCAA Women...

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Jaguars to play 2027 home slate in Orlando while stadium under construction

The Jacksonville Jaguars will play their home games in Orlando in 2027.

NFL owners gave unanimous approval on Tuesday to the plan to relocate to Camping World Stadium for that one season. Orlando is about 140 miles south of Jacksonville.

The Jaguars' current home, EverBank Stadium, will be unavailable because of a $1.4 billion project to transform it into what the team has named the Stadium of the Future. Work already has started.

Improvements include upgrades to technology as well as a transparent canopy designed to reduce the heat retention at the venue by 70% or more. A remake of the concourses also is scheduled, and shared spaces such as bars and food areas, will be reimagined. New lookout spaces will allow fans a view of Jacksonville.

The construction will limit capacity at EverBank Stadium in the 2026 season, but the Jaguars will play there. Some stadium areas will be closed to seating.

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The project is scheduled to be completed before the 2028 season.

"Following the comprehensive evaluation of our 2027 season playing options, we are pleased that the NFL and NFL owners unanimously agree that Orlando is the location that best meets the needs of the Jaguars, our 2027 opponents, and the National Football League," said Mark Lamping, the team president. "This temporary relocation is a necessary and important step to facilitate the 2028 completion of Jacksonville's Stadium of the Future. We are deeply grateful to our fanbase for their continued support, patience, and enthusiasm during this interim period."

The team has said the renovations will put Jacksonville in line to host events such as the Super Bowl, the Final Four and the college football playoffs. Jacksonville hosted Super Bowl XXXIX on Feb. 6, 2005, when the New England Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21.

The stadium opened in 1995 when the Jaguars joined the NFL. It occupies the site of the old Gator Bowl, built in 1927.

--Field Level Media

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

April 01, 2026

Jaguars to play 2027 home slate in Orlando while stadium under construction

The Jacksonville Jaguars will play their home games in Orlando in 2027. NFL owners gave unanimous ap...

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Patriots coach Mike Vrabel responds after running back seemingly defends Jaden Ivey's anti-LGBTQ remarks

New England Patriotshead coach Mike Vrabel tried to walk the "fine line" he said is in place after his running back, TreVeyon Henderson, seemingly defended the anti-LGBTQ comments made by ex-Chicago Bulls guard Jaden Ivey on Monday.

The Bullswaived Ivey on Monday due to conduct detrimental to the team following a video he posted, where he claimed the NBA was celebrating "unrighteousness" by acknowledging and embracing Pride Month.

Henderson tweeted the video of Ivey, which has now gone viral, and responded with a Bible verse.

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"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven," Henderson quoted from Matthew 5:10.

Vrabel was asked about Henderson's post on Tuesday by reporters.

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"I think there is a fine line. I want to tell you, I love TreVeyon," he said. "I love the person. He cares deeply about our team. He cares deeply about his faith. He cares deeply about his family, his wife, the people in our building. And so I want them to be able to express what they believe in their heart and in their mind, but also want to make sure that they're educated. And we want to be inclusive.

Patriots Star Appears To Show Support For Ex-bulls Player After Rant Against Nba's Pride Month Celebration

"Everything we want to do [is] to provide an environment for people to want to feel comfortable, but also to share their personal beliefs. And then also, we represent the team. And we represent the organization."

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Vrabel received a follow-up question, asking if he would talk to Henderson or the team about what transpired on social media. He responded by saying, "I usually try to," though he noted, "(We're) never going to tell them how to feel."

"(We) certainly want to make sure that they understand that their actions represent something more than just themselves," Vrabel added. "And so I do think there's a line. We're always talking about those kinds of things. We're trying to educate them, no different than myself or you guys or my kids."

Henderson is coming off his rookie season with the Patriots, racking up 911 yards on the ground with nine touchdowns, helping New England get to the Super Bowl. Henderson had just four starts under his belt in Vrabel's first year leading the team, as Rhamondre Stevenson was also a key figure in the Patriots' backfield.

Ivey has been posting similar videos with rants in recent weeks, as the 24-year-old has noted in the past hedeals with depression.

"The world can proclaim LGBTQ, right?" Ivey said inhis latest video. "They proclaim Pride Month and the NBA. They proclaim it. They show it to the world. They say, 'Come join us for Pride Month to celebrate unrighteousness.' They proclaim it. They proclaim it on the billboards. They proclaim in the streets. Unrighteousness. So, how is it that one can't speak righteousness? Who are they to say that this man is crazy?"

Ivey also claimed in a separate video thatCatholicism was a false religion.

Fox News' Ryan Gaydos and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital'ssports coverage on Xand subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Original article source:Patriots coach Mike Vrabel responds after running back seemingly defends Jaden Ivey's anti-LGBTQ remarks

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

April 01, 2026

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel responds after running back seemingly defends Jaden Ivey's anti-LGBTQ remarks

New England Patriotshead coach Mike Vrabel tried to walk the "fine line" he said is in place after his running ...

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