Tom Izzo Warns Michigan State Officials Against Newly Adopted College Practice

Tom Izzo has had enough—and he’s making it crystal clear to everyone around him.

Speaking Wednesday, the Michigan State head coach delivered a firm message to his staff about one of the most talked-about issues in college sports right now: coaches or staff members reaching out to players during the season.

If someone affiliated with his program does so?

 "They will be gone,” Izzo said.

The Hall of Famer isn’t just upset about tampering—he’s deeply frustrated with what he sees as a broken system. And in his eyes, NIL agents are making it worse, acting as middlemen between players and other programs, even while seasons are still going on.

“These guys have had people in their ear all year long,” he said. “They’re being forced to navigate that, with most of the public attention focused on the negative things of that.”

Izzo was quick to say he’s not against players making money or using their platforms. But the way it’s working now? He believes it’s doing more harm than good.

“The system was set up without any proper guidelines,” he said. “It has not helped any players make decisions. They’re left to get middlemen and other people involved in their life.”

“We created a bad system.”

Izzo’s comments come as more coaches across the country raise concerns about the transfer portal, NIL chaos, and a growing lack of transparency.