Tom Izzo 'looked' at Phoenix Suns head coaching job last offseason

Tom Izzohas become synonymous withmen's college basketballandMichigan Stateover the course of his three decades in East Lansing and the Big Ten.

So, would he ever leavethe Spartansfor sayan NBAjob?

In an appearance on "The Dan Patrick Show" on Wednesday, April 1, the Hall of Fame coach said he had discussed taking an NBA job last year to coachthe Phoenix Suns,who are owned by his former Michigan State walk-on, Mat Ishbia. No, this is not an April Fool's joke.

"I've had more than a couple of job offers in the NBA, and looked at one last year with Phoenix. You know my former player, Mat Ishbia, and that was hard," Izzo said. "That was a hard thing to turn down because No. 1, I kind of wanted to go with him ..."

REQUIRED READING:Is Tom Izzo retiring? Michigan State coach has 'some things to accomplish'

Interrupted by Dan Patrick mid-thought and asked whether the Suns offered him the job, Izzo said, "We talked seriously" about the position.

"... And then No. 2, I have been pretty vocal about it, I don't like what's going on in college athletics," Izzo continued with his original thought. "But by the way, neither do 99.98% of the football and basketball coaches in America. And I think the kids are going to still find out before it is done that it isn't best for them either."

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The Suns haven't been the only NBA team to express interest in Izzo, who ranks 20th in career wins among Division I men's college basketball coaches (764) and has eight Final Fours and a national championship on his resume. As alluded to in the clip, the Cleveland Cavaliers, owned by another Michigan State alum, Dan Gilbert, expressed interest in Izzo in the past.That interest from the Cavaliers came in 2010.

As noted by the Detroit Free Press,part of the USA TODAY Network, The Athletic reported in February that Ishbia had asked Izzo if he was interested in leaving Michigan State for a job in the NBA, but the understanding was that Izzo didn't take it all that seriously.

Izzo just led theSpartanstotheir 17th career Sweet 16 appearancein his three-decade tenure, where they fell to No. 2 UConn 67-63 despite a valiant second-half comeback. He's led Michigan State to 28 consecutive trips to the Men's NCAA Tournament, which is theNCAA Division I record for most consecutive March Madness appearances.

Whether it be entertaining another NBA job or continuing to coach at Michigan State, the 71-year-old isn't retiring anytime soon, either.He addressed that topicafter the Spartans' loss, which extended the program's Final Four drought to seven years.

"... It's sure as hell not going to be now," Izzo said on Friday, March 27. "I've got some things to accomplish."

He added: "I said a couple years ago that I'll find a way to get back there. We've knocked on the door twice. We haven't gotten back. We'll get back."

Iowa State Cyclones fans cheer against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 22, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Nebraska's Berke Buyuktuncel celebrates with fans following a second-round game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament between Nebraska Cornhuskers and Vanderbilt Commodores at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on March 21, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Arkansas Razorbacks cheerleaders in the second half against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Ore.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A Texas Christian University Horned Frogs cheerleader practices before the game during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

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Iowa State Cyclones fans cheer against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournamentat Enterprise Center on March 22, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Tom Izzo to NBA? Michigan State coach 'looked' at Suns job last year

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April 01, 2026

Tom Izzo 'looked' at Phoenix Suns head coaching job last offseason

Tom Izzohas become synonymous withmen's college basketballandMichigan Stateover the course of his three decades in Ea...

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Former College Football Player Jack Pugh Dead at 24 After Quitting the Sport for His Mental Health

Former Wisconsin football tight end Jack Pugh has died

NEED TO KNOW

• The school confirmed Pugh's death in a post on social media

• Pugh, 24, retired due to mental health reasons in 2023

Former Wisconsin football player Jack Pugh has died, the school confirmed. He was 24.Pugh played tight end for the Badgers from 2021-2023 before retiring due to mental health reasons,theMilwaukee Journal Sentinelreported.No cause of death has been released at this time.Wisconsin football shared a tribute to the former player on X late Tuesday, March 31."The Wisconsin athletics family is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Pugh,"the school said. "Jack was a positive light and brought a genuine spirit to our football program. More than that, he cared about people and was loved by his teammates and staff. Jack proudly earned his degree from UW-Madison in 2025 and will forever be remembered and loved."The Columbus, Ohio native was a four-star recruit for the Badgers despite only playing football for his final two years in high school.

Pugh was highly recruited by Michigan, Penn State, Michigan State, Maryland and Minnesota, according to theJournal Sentinel.In 2023, Pugh announced his retirement on Instagram.

"My physical health was not near perfect, but my mental health was the reason I decided to hang it up," he posted at the time. "Over years of prolonged depression and substance abuse, I decided I deserved a better life and to finally find happiness."

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He continued, "In no way was football the root of these problems, but everything in my life had distracted me for so long to the point I didn't want to be alive for years. I never had prioritized my mental health all along, digging a deeper darker hole."

Pugh went on to thank his coaches, teammates and others for their support."I'll never forget the memories. Love y'all," he wrote.Pugh's former teammate, New York Jets running back Braelon Allen, shared the news of his death on social media on Monday night, and added a message to his followers."Protect your mental,"he wrote on X.

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Former College Football Player Jack Pugh Dead at 24 After Quitting the Sport for His Mental Health

Former Wisconsin football tight end Jack Pugh has died NEED TO KNOW The school confirmed Pugh's death in a...

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Howie Mandel Says He 'Didn't Mean to Embarrass Anybody' After Apologizing to Kelly Ripa for On-Air Moment

Howie Mandel is sharing more about his viral exchange with Kelly Ripa on Live with Kelly and Mark

NEED TO KNOW

• During a March 31 appearance on Hot Mics with Billy Bush, Mandel said he "didn't mean to embarrass anybody" after Ripa and Mark Consuelos commented on his appearance

• "I hope it ends soon because I didn't mean to cause any disruption," he said of attention on the interaction

Howie Mandel"didn't mean to embarrass anybody" after apologizing toKelly Ripaover their awkward on-airexchange.

The comedian, 70, appeared on a Tuesday, March 31 segment ofHot Mics with Billy Bush, in which he reflected on the aftermath of his recent viralLive with Kelly and Markmoment and apology video.

During the March 23 episode of Ripa andMark Consuelos' daytime talk show, Mandel had an awkward exchange with the hosts, who complimented Mandel's appearance and told him he looked "great" after discussing his age. Mandel argued that the compliment didn't "mean anything" as it came with a "caveat." Days later, he posted a video apologizing to Ripa and explaining that the comment was "meant as a joke."

Now, Mandel said he has regrets about sharing the Instagram post, adding that he "didn't mean to cause any disruption."

"Obviously I told a joke that didn't land well," Mandel said, as he appeared onHot Micswearing a new hairstyle and T-shirt of himself as a child.

He added, "Comedians always say, 'If you can make one person laugh, you're doing the job.' But apparently that's not enough... I'm reading and there's no stopping it and I don't understand. I tried to stop it. I tried to apologize. I agreed with people. I do."

Mandel then said he didn't "know" who got offended by the on-air moment, despite "reading the articles" online. "If somebody is offended, if somebody feels that I did wrong, then I apologize. I don't believe in apologizing but I said, as I said in that post — which, I kind of regret making the post," he said, before Bush asked him why.

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"Because I don't think you should apologize for a joke," Mandel said. "And I do agree. People are saying it wherever I go now, I do think I look good. I don't even think the caveat is for 70. I just think I look good."

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As Mandel put it, up until "a couple weeks ago," he didn't "really focus" on his appearance. "I feel bad," he said. "I don't know what's going on and I don't know when this will end. And I hope it ends soon because I didn't mean to cause any disruption. I didn't mean to embarrass anybody."

After Bush questioned the famously bald comedian about the "hair on your head" at the end of their discussion, Mandel jokingly sat in silence before storming out of the podcast studio and slamming the door on his way out.

In his apology video, uploaded on Saturday, March 28, the star said he doesn't think a comedian "needs to apologize for a joke" and that it's "hard" for him to do so publicly.

After apologizing to Ripa, Mandel called her "absolutely right." A few comedian friends sounded off about the ordeal in the comment section,as didLive with Kelly and Markexecutive producerMichael Gelman, who commented that Mandel indeed looks great "for your age."

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Howie Mandel Says He 'Didn't Mean to Embarrass Anybody' After Apologizing to Kelly Ripa for On-Air Moment

Howie Mandel is sharing more about his viral exchange with Kelly Ripa on  Live with Kelly and Mark NEED TO KNOW...

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Country Singer Tanner Usrey Arrested for Alleged DWI and Drug Possession in Texas

Country singer Tanner Usrey was arrested on Monday, March 30 in Collin County

NEED TO KNOW

• According to jail records, he was charged with DWI (driving while intoxicated) and two drug possession charges

• The DWI is his second offense

Country and southern rock singerTanner Usreyhas been arrested and charged for driving under the influence.

The "Take Me Home" singer, 32, was booked on Monday, March 30 in Collin County, Texas by the McKinney Police Department,according to Collin County jail records. He was released the same day.

Per the booking information, Usrey was charged with DWI (driving while intoxicated) and two drug possession charges.

The jail records also noted that the DWI is his second offense.

A rep for Usrey did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. PEOPLE has also reached out to the McKinney Police Department for further information on the arrest.

The Texas native released his debut albumCrossing Linesin 2023. Two years later, in 2025, he released his sophomore recordThese Days.

On April 11, Usrey is scheduled to play the Montgomery County Fair in Conroe, Texas. He will also play the Fiesta Oyster Bake in San Antonio, Texas on April 17 and the Larry Joe Taylor's Texas Music Festival on April 23 in Stephenville, Texas. On May 2, he'll play Kid Rock's Rock the Country in Belville, Texas.

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Usrey'slast Instagram postwas a clip of him performing his song "Smoke in the Air" — which was featured on his last studio album — on March 27.

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In July of last year, Usrey spoke withRolling StoneaboutThese Daysand said it was an album about reflection and growing up.

"It's about heartbreak, as usual, but the overall theme is more mature than what I've been writing about," he said.

Usrey added, "It's about counting the little wins, and that's why I named itThese Days. I want to appreciate every little moment, and every day that I make it through, and everybody else makes it through. It's not all self-destruction anymore, it's about real stuff."

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

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Country Singer Tanner Usrey Arrested for Alleged DWI and Drug Possession in Texas

Country singer Tanner Usrey was arrested on Monday, March 30 in Collin County NEED TO KNOW According to jail r...

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Sean 'Diddy' Combs' prison release date moved up again as appeal hearing approaches

The countdown toSean Combs' prison release date just got shorter.

The rapper known as Diddy, who has beenserving a 50-month sentencefor prostitution-related charges, is now scheduled to be freed 10 days earlier than expected, according to Federal Bureau of Prisons records accessed byEntertainment Weekly. The adjustment to the music mogul's release date comes just weeks after a previous change shaved over a month off his sentence.

Combs is now scheduled for release on April 15, 2028. His prison sentence was previously set to end on April 25, 2028.

The release date has fluctuated several times since his 2025 conviction: Combs was originally slated for release on May 8, 2028, before the date was pushed back to June 4 and then moved up to April 25.

Representatives for Combs didn't immediately respond to EW's request for comment.

The latest update arrives just one week before Combs' legal team heads to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on April 9, to present their oral argument. Last December, the rapper's attorneysformally appealed his conviction and sentence, arguing that the sexual encounters at the center of the case were consensual and that the trial judge imposed an overly harsh sentence.

On Feb. 20, federal prosecutors urged an appellate court to uphold both Combs' conviction and sentence, arguing that Combs was allegedly a repeat and flagrant offender who used violence and threats to commit his crimes, per court documents obtained byPEOPLE.

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Combs was convicted last summer following a high-profile federal trial in New York. Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York accused Combs of leading a criminal enterprise that "abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct,"according to the indictment. Combs pleaded not guilty and has denied all of the allegations against him.

The music mogul wasultimately found guiltyof two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, a verdict that was widely seen as a legal victory for the rapper, as he was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have seen him sentenced to life in prison.

At sentencing, Judge Arun Subramanian said he "rejects the defense's attempt to characterize what happened here as merely intimate, consensual experiences, or just a sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll story."

He said to Combs, "You abused the power and control that you had over the lives of women you professed to love dearly. You abused them physically, emotionally, and psychologically. And you used that abuse to get your way, especially when it came to freak-offs and hotel nights."

On Oct. 3, 2025, Combs was sentenced to 50 months (just over four years) in prison, fined $500,000, and ordered five years of supervised release once he leaves prison. He has been serving time at Fort Dix Federal Correctional Institution, a low-security prison located in New Jersey, since late October. Combs has been imprisoned since his September 2024 arrest.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

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Sean 'Diddy' Combs' prison release date moved up again as appeal hearing approaches

The countdown toSean Combs' prison release date just got shorter. The rapper known as Diddy, who has beens...

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3 women arrested for refusing to pay for extra bags on Frontier flight

Three women are facing criminal charges after officials said they refused to pay for extra carry-on bags, sparking their arrest and a nearly hour-long flight delay at the Miami International Airport.

Nafisa Dockery, 30, Dionjana Cochran, 21, and Davana Cochran, 26, were escorted off aFrontier Airlinesplane and arrested on Monday, March 30, an arrest warrant shows.

All three woman are charged with trespassing on property after a warning and resisting an officer without violence. Dockery was also charged with battery, after authorities said she allegedly spit on someone during the incident.

According to the affidavit obtained by USA TODAY, the women were boarding a flight to Philadelphia when a Frontier employee noticed they had only paid for one carry-on piece of luggage, but had two with them.

When the employee asked the trio to step aside and pay for their extra bag, a verbal confrontation began, the affidavit continues, and the employee told the women if they did not pay for their bags, they would not be permitted to board.

The trio then proceeded past a restricted door without authorization, the affidavit shows, and boarded the plane.

Law enforcement arrived, boarded the plane and escorted all three women off. At some point as they walked off the plane, Dockery allegedly spit on a woman, officials reported.

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A Frontier spokesperson deferred all questions to Miami-Dade police.

JetBlue raises bag fees:See how much you'll pay.

Women who refused to pay for extra bags on Frontier flight plead not guilty

Authorities arrested all three women and transported the trio to the Miami-Dade county jail.

Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office records showed Dionjana Cochran and Davana Cochran remained jailed on Wednesday, April 1, being held on $4,000 and $2,000 bonds, respectively. Dockery was not listed as an inmate.

Court documents show the women pleaded not guilty to the charges this week.

USA TODAY has reached out to the Miami-Dade Public Defender's Office, who records show were appointed to represent all three women.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:3 women arrested after Frontier flight delay over bag fees

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April 01, 2026

3 women arrested for refusing to pay for extra bags on Frontier flight

Three women are facing criminal charges after officials said they refused to pay for extra carry-on bags, sparking the...

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