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[RJINTAMPA]

EAST LANSING -- Tom Izzo will be back at Michigan State for his 16th season as head coach -- here "for life," in fact -- the university announced tonight.

Izzo, Athletic Director Mark Hollis and MSU President Lou Anna Simon are scheduled to hold a news conference at 8:30 tonight at the Clara Bell Smith Center auditorium.

MSU did release statements from Izzo, Hollis and Simon.

“It’s been an agonizing week as I tried to make a decision about a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Izzo said in a statement.

"I apologize for the time the process has taken, but sometimes there are opportunities that come about that must be thoroughly examined. I’m no different than any other successful coach in that I’ve had multiple inquiries before, but this one was uniquely intriguing. There was a lot of information to gather and consider and some of it wasn’t easily obtainable. But when making a life decision, I owed it to myself and my family to do my due diligence. From that I never wavered. And I’m pleased to say I am here for life at Michigan State.

“Throughout the entire process, Dan Gilbert and the entire Cleveland organization has been nothing but class. His professionalism and caring nature for me, my family and Michigan State have been impressive. I wish him nothing but the best in his quest to win a world championship. Just as I decided to stay home, I hope a 6-8, 270-pound forward in Cleveland decides to stay home.

Said Hollis: “Over the past week, Coach Izzo addressed a personal opportunity that he did not seek out. He owed it to himself to completely understand, evaluate, reflect and come to a conclusion that will be part of his life forever. And we owed it to him to allow this process to happen. Throughout the process, his heart was always at MSU."

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100615/GW02/306150028/Tom-Izzo-staying-for-life-at-MSU