Sports in brief: Report says Ducks chasing Izzo

Tue., March 30, 2010

College basketball: Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said Monday that he is happy where he is after a report that Oregon wants to make him the richest coach in the nation.

KEZI-TV in Eugene, Ore., cited anonymous sources in reporting that the school plans to offer Izzo college basketball’s largest contract with help from Nike Inc. co-founder Phil Knight.

“I have not been contacted,” Izzo told the Associated Press on Monday. “I’m happy here and I’m focused on trying to win another national championship.”

Izzo led the Spartans to a title a decade ago. He will take them to college basketball’s showcase this weekend for the sixth time in 12 seasons, a string of success accomplished only by UCLA’s John Wooden and Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski in NCAA history.

Kentucky gave John Calipari a $31.65 million, eight-year contract last year, the largest known deal for a college basketball coach. Private schools, such as Duke, aren’t required by law to reveal what they pay coaches.

Izzo is earning more than $3 million per season at Michigan State and is under contract through 2016.

Oregon dismissed Ernie Kent, its winningest coach, two weeks ago after 13 seasons at his alma mater. The Ducks were 16-16 overall and 7-11 in the Pac-10 thisseason.

Izzo is in his 15th season at Michigan State, where he was promoted to replace Jud Heathcote when he retired following the 1994-95 season.

Associated Press

Obama will toss first pitch

Baseball: President Barack Obama will throw out the ceremonial first pitch when the Phillies open the season next Monday against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park.

Pregame ceremonies begin at 12:30 p.m. EDT, with the game scheduled to start at 1:05. Roy Halladay is scheduled to make his Phillies debut and will be opposed by the Nationals’ John Lannan.

Obama’s appearance will mark the 100th anniversary of the first time the president threw an Opening Day first pitch and the 48th time a president has done so in Washington.

On April 14, 1910, William Howard Taft began the tradition before the Washington Senators went on to defeat the Philadelphia Athletics, 3-0, behind a one-hit, complete game shutout by Hall of Fame pitcher Walter Johnson.

Associated Press

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Sports in brief: Report says Ducks chasing Izzo

Obama will toss first pitch

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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