Denzel Valentine wants Drew Valentine to eventually replace Tom Izzo

Denzel Valentine has been vocal in support of his brother Drew Valentine and he wants him to eventually replace Tom Izzo.

Denzel Valentine was one of the most successful Spartans in Michigan State basketball history. He was an All-Big Ten selection, All-American, Big Ten Player of the Year, and AP National Player of the Year during his time in East Lansing. He knows a thing or two about success.

Valentine went on to get drafted No. 14 overall by the Chicago Bulls in 2016.

But he’s not the only successful (when it pertains to basketball) member of his family. His dad, Carlton, actually played for Michigan State in the 1980s and then went overseas to finish his professional career. Denzel’s brother, Drew, is currently having the most success on the hardwood of the Valentine family. No, he’s not playing as those days are long gone, but he just led Loyola Chicago to its first-ever Atlantic 10 title.

Loyola joined the A-10 a year ago and went just 10-21 in the first season as members of the conference. It looked like Drew Valentine’s job security was in trouble. But all he did was turn around and go 23-8 this season with a 15-3 mark in conference play, securing a share of the Atlantic 10 title.

When he took over at Loyola in 2021, Michigan State fans were clamoring for him to eventually replace Tom Izzo. That talk died down last year when he went 10-21, but it’s starting to spark yet again after his second 23-plus win season in three years.

And Denzel, too, is hoping that his brother is Michigan State’s next head coach.

Me too https://t.co/aMFRJchSYo

— Denzel Valentine (@denzelvalentine) March 11, 2024

Obviously Denzel is going to lobby for his big brother to take over the program that he loves when his former coach retires. But it does feel like this is starting to pick up some steam. Drew Valentine would make a heck of a coach in East Lansing because he can recruit, he relates to players on a personal level, and he knows the program. Oh, and he’s clearly a winner and knows how to turn things around in a hurry.

Who would you want to see replace Tom Izzo when he retires? Valentine would be near the top of my list.