Izzo aide leaving MSU for Utah

EAST LANSING - College basketball assistant coaches come and go, ideally for head coaching jobs because it means they're leaving successful programs.

Jim Boylen is the latest Michigan State aide to make that jump. He'll be named Utah's head coach at a news conference today, becoming the seventh Tom Izzo assistant to move on for a head position.

It happens a lot around here. The interesting thing about Boylen's departure is that he met with the entire team Monday night to talk about his decision. That doesn't always happen, and it says something about Boylen's impact in just two seasons in East Lansing.

"That's kind of cool - I wish I could have been there with him," said Izzo, who is vacationing with his family this week in Florida.

"It's tough because he was a great part of this program and he put a lot into it the past couple years," MSU junior guard Drew Neitzel said of Boylen. "He had a lot to do with our success. But we understand he's trying to accomplish his goals and dreams just like we are. ... He brought a different comfort level to the team when he was here."

Boylen, 41, a Grand Rapids native, brought fresh offensive ideas to MSU, acquired during 13 years as an assistant in the NBA. He worked well with Izzo - he was an assistant with Izzo under Jud Heathcote from 1987-92 - and related with players who wanted to know everything he could tell them about the pros.

"I wanted to leave this program, whatever little piece of it I had a part in, I wanted to leave it better off than when I came, and hopefully I did that," Boylen said Monday night. "But the thing I want to get across is, everyone's making this about me, but it's about coach Izzo coaching coaches and getting them ready for their next job. Everything he told me about this process is exactly how it happened."

Now Izzo must fill a hole on his staff for the first time since 2005, when Doug Wojcik left to become Tulsa's head coach and Boylen replaced him.

Plus, MSU assistants Mark Montgomery and Dwayne Stephens just completed their sixth and fourth seasons, respectively. Montgomery was a candidate for the Central Michigan job a year ago and both could have opportunities this offseason.

"It's hard, I'm not gonna lie to you, it's hard," Izzo said Monday of losing assistant coaches. "But as fulfilling as it is to watch one of your former players in the green room (at the NBA draft), it's almost as fulfilling to see a guy become a head coach. ... I'm really excited for Jim, he's ready for this."

Izzo said he doesn't have a replacement in mind yet.

Utah will hold a news conference at 5 p.m. today to introduce Boylen.

He replaces Ray Giacoletti, who was forced to resign late in his third season as coach. Utah went 11-19 this season, its worst record since 1983-84.

Utah is the 12th-winningest program in Division I history, with 1,595 wins in 99 years.

Since 1991, Utah has made 12 trips to the NCAA Tournament, including five trips to the Sweet 16 and a 1998 spot in the championship game, losing to Kentucky.

"I think we can be a top-25 program," Boylen said of Utah. "We're gonna dream big."

Contact Joe Rexrode at jrexrode@lsj.com.