In this episode of The Draymond Green Show, Draymond Green and his guest (Speaker B) discuss the deep, multi‑decade relationship between Green, the guest, and Michigan State head basketball coach Tom Izzo. The conversation highlights Izzo’s role as a mentor, friend, and ambassador for the entire athletic department, emphasizing his unwavering support for players, staff, and donors. They recount how Izzo helped the guest transition into a Spartan role, the close ties between the football and basketball programs (including Coach Saban’s friendship with Izzo), and the personal, day‑to‑day interactions—calls, texts, and neighborhood drives— that illustrate the familial culture at Michigan State. Green adds his own perspective, noting how Izzo taught him work ethic, accountability, and basketball fundamentals, and how Izzo still checks in on him with his trademark blunt “What the f are you doing?” style. The dialogue paints a picture of a coach whose influence extends far beyond the court, fostering a tight‑knit community that values loyalty, hard work, and mutual respect.
I'd be remiss if Coach Izzo didn't come up and you and I talking. I see you guys are building a real strong relationship. As someone who is a friend to me, a brother to me, a father figure to me, a coach and a mentor, I am extremely appreciative of that relationship. How is that relationship growing with y'all, but also has grown since the time you come to back to Michigan State?
I'll tell you what, man, Coach Izzo, he's the best. He's the best. And, you know, I can see why all of his former players, his current players, why they love him to death and will run through a wall for him because he'll run through a wall for you. You know, that's the type of guy he is. He's real, you know, everything is black and white. There's no gray. And if he tells you something, you can take it to the bank, you know. And he was here when I was a graduate assistant, you know.
Mm-hmm.
He had just been recently named the head coach, and he was in the process of building the program. And so I remember it was, you know, Cleaves and Mopeet and Phil and Antonio Smith and all those guys, you know. And there was always, it was always here, always here, there is a very close relationship with the football program and the basketball program, which— and it was— Coach Saban was really close with Coach Izzo. They had known each other for a long time. And it was just— it was for something— it was just— it's very special that the football team and the basketball— the men's basketball team here, it's like a family. I mean, it's something that you don't normally see. And there's no animosity between the programs and between the coaches, you know, which is a beautiful thing. Beautiful thing. So when I, um, when I was presented with this, this opportunity here at Michigan State, one of the things that I wanted to know, one of the first things I want to know was where, how did Coach Izzo feel about me? You know, that's what I wanted to know. Like, where's, where's, where's Izzo on this, you know? And, and I got a call from him, you know, I got a call from him and he said that he would, you know, he was looking forward to working with me and, and, uh, And he, you know, he wanted me to be a Spartan and things like that. And that went a long way with me because he's been here 30-plus years, you know, and he bleeds green and white. And the greatness of Michigan State athletics, a lot of it is due to him and what he's done and what he continues to do on a day-to-day basis. And he's not just the head basketball coach. I mean, he's an ambassador for the university. He cares about all the sports, all the other coaches, all the other coaches in the athletic department. I mean, all the donors. I mean, he is everything to all people. And so as a—
Mm-hmm.
As coming in the door, He's been a tremendous asset to me. He's been a friend. He's counseled me. He's supported me. He's helped me, he's helped introduce me to donors. And we talk about football, we talk about basketball, we talk about toughness, we talk about practice, we talk about all those things, former players, family, I mean, it's not a day that goes by that I don't talk to him or we don't text back and forth. And I just, it's just been a blessing to me to have a Hall of Fame coach, you know, right here with me side by side. And I tease him all the time. I say, 'cause we live in the same neighborhood, I said, I'm always pinching myself even now to this day that I drive home and I get a chance to drive past Tom Izzo's house. [LAUGHTER] And it was like, oh, this, 'cause there's a lot of them. But hey, what more could you ask for? Life is good, right?
Absolutely. Life is great. Man, I definitely under— if there's anyone that understands him and that relationship, I do, because it's been, you know, he always say to me, Draymond, you've done so much for me. But the reality is, is he's done so much for me in teaching me what it was to work hard. Like I didn't, I got to Michigan State, I didn't have a clue of what working hard was, you know? Like teaching me how to carry myself, holding me accountable. Teaching me further understanding my understanding of the game of basketball, how to watch film, like all these things that matters. And yet will still call me to this day and say, "What the fuck are you doing? Why are you out there bitching?" Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. If I get in trouble with our general manager or our head coach, Steve Kerr, I'm getting a call from Coach Izzo. And that's what I truly appreciate about him. You know, it's— Right. It's much further than just those 4 years. And it's way further than just, and deeper than just the game of basketball. So I am truly appreciative of that. And I understand like y'all relationship, obviously I don't understand from a coach's perspective, but I do have an appreciation for it.
