EAST LANSING -- Four days after Bill Beekman was named Michigan State's interim athletic director in early February, Tom Izzo was asked how well he knew his new boss.
"I don't know him that well, but like everybody, as new people come in, I'm going to get to know him," Izzo replied then after a Spartans practice.
Five months later, Izzo hasn't only gotten to know Beekman, but played a key role in making the case for Beekman to stay in his new role permanently.
Both Izzo and Spartans football coach Mark Dantonio offered strong endorsements for Beekman on Monday as he was introduced as the school's new permanent athletic director.