In 2020, Mel Tucker was signed a 10 year, $95 million contract to be head football coach at Michigan State University. However, on September 18 of this year, MSU athletic director Alan Haller sent a letter of termination to Tucker for accusations of sexual harassment. He was officially fired on Sep 27, 2023.

Two years ago, Mel Tucker hired Brenda Tracy, a prominent rape survivor and sexual assault activist, to speak to his athletes about sexual violence. This partnership was supposed to have only positive effects for Michigan State Football; however, Tucker’s job was lost and reputation tarnished because he could not keep it professional. Tracy filed a complaint in December 2022 against Tucker. She claimed that while they were on a previous phone call, he began touching himself without her consent. Tracy reported this inappropriate call to the university’s Title IX office. After Tracy spoke out, Tucker canceled their partnership.

In one of Tucker’s statements on this matter, he did admit to these actions but said that it was part of a consensual relationship. Then, in a letter from his attorneys, he disputed the allegations. His legal team even went as far as to say that Brenda Tracy has been plotting against him for a year. Mel Tucker is unfortunately not going down without a fight.

The interim head coach is Harlon Barnett, the longtime MSU assistant coach; he is accompanied by former Spartan coach Mark Dantonio.

Works Cited

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/38433108/michigan-state-begins-process-firing-coach-mel-tucker

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2023/09/10/michigan-state-football-coach-sexual-harassment-claim/70679703007/