Nix will remain with MSU program

At a news conference on Thursday, Tom Izzo and Derrick Nix spoke publicly for the first time since Nix's arrest on April 3.

The result was as expected: Derrick Nix will remain with the MSU program.

"He is reinstated under the grounds of what he has to adhere to," Izzo said.

An emotional Nix apologized to the program, fans, media and even Izzo's son, Steven.

"From this point on, I have to become a man, make all the right decisions ... just try to walk the straight line," Nix said.

It won't be without stipulations for Nix, though, and Izzo said it will be "under some circumstances he's gonna have to live under."

"I'm gonna challenge him, I'm gonna make him do some things," Izzo said. He also hopes this is the year "the boy starts to become a man."

Nix was arrested on April 3 and charged with marijuana possession and operating under the influence of a controlled substance after a traffic stop. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor impaired driving, and the marijuana possession charge was dropped, according to the Lansing State Journal (and the East Lansing 54B District Court).

He will be sentenced on May 11.

Izzo said the punishment and stipulations will remain in-house until he has met with poeple such as Mark Hollis, but he added part of the process will include Nix having to work with children -- because Izzo had to explain the situation to his 12-year-old son. A suspension for some games next season is not out of the question, but nothing is set in stone.

Izzo said he consulted numerous people and tried to make the decision as a parent, coach and community leader. He also said "the easy thing for me to do would be to get rid of him. Trust me, it would be easier."

Instead, Nix will remain a part of the program and be given a second chance.

"I want to regain my trust with a lot of coaches, players and family," Nix said.

He will have that opportunity, but it won't come easy -- but nothing in life does.

"I am definitely going to make life miserable for him because I want him to be successful," Izzo said.