Tom Izzo and Spartans Assistants Reportedly Contacted Witness in Sexual Assault Investigation Against MSU Player

Tuesday night's release of HBO's "The Scheme," has us all wanting to know more about some of college basketball's scandals, and now Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo is making headlines with one of his own.

In 2018, we learned that Spartans walk-on guard Brock Washington had allegedly committed criminal sexual conduct the year prior in East Lansing. Washington was charged that April before keeping his spot on the team until his indefinite suspension this past January after another sexual allegation. How did Izzo get himself involved? Well, he reportedly got in touch with one of the original witnesses ahead of their involvement in Washington's investigation, a big Title IX no-no.

Police records show that Izzo, along with assistant coaches Dwayne Stephens and Mike Garland, contacted MSU student Brayden Smith before authorities were able to reach out to him. Smith was with Washington the night of the incident and told investigators that the coaches wanted to make sure he was alright and aware of the situation.

There's no telling how this will ultimately impact Izzo, Stephens and Garland, but their jobs are safe for now. Michigan State's reputation throughout the college basketball landscape wasn't great to begin with, and this is another serious black eye for their athletic program.