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After a two-week battle with COVID-19, Michigan state coach Tom Izzo returned to training on Monday – just two days before the Spartans’ season opener on Wednesday.
Izzo was diagnosed with the coronavirus on November 9 and isolated at home while battling mild symptoms.
“While some people who have tested positive weren’t too affected, I am here to tell you that this virus is no joke and everyone needs to take it seriously,” Izzo said in a communicated.
“It was difficult for me to be away from my team and our players, but I also understood the challenges associated with this virus and the need for me to isolate and follow the proper protocol to ensure that I was healthy enough to return to work. ”
Izzo has been at Michigan State since 1995 and compiled a 628-241 record there during his 25 seasons with the Spartans. He’s led them to the NCAA tournament in all but two of its seasons (except last year when the tournament was called off altogether), reached the Final Four eight times, and won a national title in 2000.
The 65-year-old had trained a bit from home while isolating himself, thanks to the cameras they set up, and he even called players during practice to talk to them.
“I have stayed in touch with my players as much as I can, but I can’t wait to see them in person today,” said Izzo. “I was really impressed with the hard work they have done during this time. We are all looking forward to the start of the season.
Izzo’s Latest College Coach Battles COVID-19
Izzo is one of many prominent college coaches to contract the coronavirus ahead of the season.
Baylor coach Scott Drew, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, Ole coach Miss Kermit Davis and Tennessee coach Rick Barnes have all announced they have tested positive in recent days.
Several programs – including Duke, Arizona, Baylor and more – all canceled their season opener due to outbreaks, the UConn women’s program suspended all activities on Monday, and Florida A&M women’s basketball decided not to hold a season. at all.
The onslaught of cancellations, postponements and more does not bode well for the season – which is set to begin on Wednesday after having already been delayed from November 10.
There were more than 12.4 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the United States on Monday evening, according to the New York Times, and more than 257,000 deaths are attributed to it. The country has repeatedly set new case records in the past week and averages more than 171,000 new cases per day. The massive spike in cases even prompted the Centers for Disease Control to advise people not to travel during Thanksgiving.
While a lot can happen between now and the NCAA tournament, college basketball is clearly struggling to contain the coronavirus – and the 2020-21 season hasn’t even started yet.
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