Cavs reportedly interested in Izzo

Tom Izzo has another suitor.

Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis told the Associated Press yesterday that the Cleveland Cavaliers are interested in replacing fired coach Mike Brown with Izzo.

"There is not a contract offer on the table," Hollis said in a telephone interview. "Last week, there was talk that Chicago and New Jersey were interested. If I was anywhere but at Michigan State, I would be interested in Tom, too, because he's the best coach in college basketball."

The News-Herald of Willoughby, Ohio, reported Sunday the Cavaliers have made an offer to Izzo, citing an unidentified league source. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported yesterday that Cavs owner Dan Gilbert discussed the framework of a deal, worth about $6 million a season for up to 5 years, with perks such as using one of his private jets.

"As far as I know, nothing has changed," Hollis said.

Gilbert reiterated in an e-mail to the AP the team's policy is to not comment on "any rumor about potential new hires, trades, free agent signing, etc." Complicating his coaching search is the uncertainty surrounding LeBron James, the jewel of the marketplace when free agency opens July 1. James said in an interview last week Cleveland has "an edge" in re-signing him.

Messages by phone and text were left with Izzo.

The Lansing State Journal said it received a text from Izzo on Sunday night in which he questioned the degree of substance in the reports.

In other coaching news:

* The Hornets have scheduled news conference this afternoon to formally introduce Monty Williams as their new head coach. Williams, 38, who played at Notre Dame and then for several NBA teams spanning nine seasons, has been an assistant to Portland head coach Nate McMillan since 2005.