Tom Izzo’s Unexpected Warning to Saginaw Valley State After Chris Fowler Hire—What It Means Next

There’s something electric about a fresh coaching hire that carries the weight of legacy — and with Chris Fowler stepping in as Saginaw Valley State’s ninth men’s basketball head coach, that electricity is palpable. This isn’t just any new gig; it’s another feather for the legendary Tom Izzo coaching tree, extending its reach deeper into college hoops. Fowler’s journey, from grinding it out as a Central Michigan player, to cutting his teeth at Michigan State under Izzo’s watchful eye, then sharpening skills alongside Dwayne Stephens at Western Michigan — it’s a path marked by resilience and sharp basketball IQ. Now, as he takes the reins for the Cardinals, Fowler joins a truly Michigan-centric fraternity of Izzo proteges like Stephens, Mark Montgomery, and Stan Heath, each making waves at home-state programs. It’s more than a hiring; it’s a continuation of a storied legacy with a fresh chapter just getting started — and you can bet the SVSU community is buzzing with excitement. LEARN MOREFowler spent two years a part of the Michigan State basketball program as a graduate assistant coach, following his playing career at Central Michigan. Fowler also spent time at Northern Arizona and Western Michigan, where he sat on Dwayne Stephens bench as an associate head coach.Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_LinsnerFollowing the hiring, Izzo joined SVSU’s social media team to deliver a message to the Cardinals community, sharing his excitement for Fowler, and acknowledging how he is the perfect man for the job.

After getting hired by the Cardinals, Fowler joins Stephens, Mark Montgomery and Stan Heath as former Izzo assistants that are active head coaches within the collegiate ranks. Coincidentally, all four are coaching at in-state schools.Saginaw Valley State has named Chris Fowler as the ninth head men’s basketball coach in the school’s history. The hiring marks another member of the Tom Izzo coaching tree getting a head coaching job in the collegiate ranks.

Watch Izzo’s message to the SVSU community via the Cardinals men’s basketball X page: