A Conversation with President Stanley and MSU Coaches

President Stanley, Tom Izzo, Suzy Merchant, Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll and Mel Tucker discuss the state of Spartan Athletics.

July 26, 2021

On July 21, MSU President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D., hosted a conversation with four of MSU Athletics’ most accomplished coaches: Tom Izzo, Suzy Merchant, Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll and Mel Tucker.

The conversation focused on MSU Athletics, looking back at the impact of COVID-19 while also excitedly looking forward to a year with fans in the stands at Spartan Stadium and the Breslin Center.

Representing Spartan Coaches:

Tom Izzo, Head Coach, Men's Basketball

A Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Coach Tom Izzo is entering his 27th season as head coach and 39th season overall at MSU. Coach Izzo has led MSU to 23 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and counting, has won 16 Big Ten Titles, made eight Final four appearances, and won the national championship in 2000. Coach Izzo is an eight-time National Coach of the Year award winner and the winningest coach in MSU history.

Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll, Head Coach, Women’s Golf

Women’s Golf coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll led the MSU women’s golf team to the 2021 Big Ten Championship. Entering her 25th season, she has eight conference titles, more than any other female coach in MSU history. Her teams posted the highest team GPAs at MSU for eight straight seasons from 2012 to 2019. Plus, Coach Slobodnik-Stoll still plays golf individually at a high level and is the winningest amateur golfer in Golf Association of Michigan history.

Suzy Merchant, Head Coach, Women’s Basketball

Suzy Merchant is entering her 15th season as the coach of Michigan State Women’s Basketball. The Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2011, Coach Merchant has led 46 Spartans to All-Big Ten recognition. Off the court in 2016, Merchant helped create the EmpowHER Retreat, designed to build confidence in girls through interactive workshops.

Mel Tucker, Head Coach, Football

Mel Tucker is coming off his first year as head coach of Michigan State Football, and has 25 years of collegiate and NFL coaching experience. Last fall, he became only the second coach in program history to beat Michigan in his first game against that team in Ann Arbor. He is a two-time national champion, who has coached and recruited 13 NFL first-round players, multiple Pro Bowlers, and winners of the Heisman Trophy, Butkus Award and Thorpe Award.