MSU Board of Trustees Emeritus lobbies for unusual university president replacement
Michigan State president Tom Izzo? So, we’re at the point of depression in East Lansing it seems.
Following the news of Samuel Stanley resigning his position as Michigan State University’s president, speculation has begun on where the school will turn next. Stanley, who was hired on May 28, 2019, said in a video posted Thursday morning that he has “lost confidence” in the school’s Board of Trustees.
“The actions of the campus over the past month have shown the world that Michigan State University will not accept micromanagement by board members of the operations (of the university) and that we will hold individuals, no matter what their rank, accountable for their action,” Stanley said in the video, according to the Detriot Free Press.
Stanley is gone, which means the university will begin its search at finding its next president. According to Brian Mosallam, a member of Michigan State’s board of trustees, his top option to fill in as the interim is none other than Izzo.
Yes, that Izzo.
There is only one person who can unite our fractured University in the interim. I say this with all sincerity. We need unification and a steady hand. I’m speaking only for the sake of unity and as someone who knows how divided and toxic it is right now. Only one person: Tom Izzo https://t.co/LYoxl0xglX
— Brian Mosallam (@Bmosallam63) October 13, 2022
For decades, college programs would often hire former coaches from basketball or football to serve in an executive role. Usually, that was predicated on the title of athletic director.
The president of a University? Has that ever been done before?
Izzo, who was hired by MSU in 1995, is one of the longest-tenured staff members in East Lansing. And while the idea on paper might work in terms of culture, there’s little evidence that the 67-year-old would be able to handle the daily aspects of leading a university in academics and other areas.
Then again, if Izzo was hired, does this mean Mel Tucker would be able to teach “Business 101” or Draymond Green could be leading a lecture on “Ethics 403: Knocking out the friendly competition” this spring?