Mich. State fires football coach Mel Tucker amid sex harassment scandal

Michigan State University fired head football coach Mel Tucker for inappropriate conduct on Wednesday, a stunning fall for one of the highest-paid coaches in college sports, who signed a record 10-year, $95 million contract less than two years ago.

The action comes just over two weeks after a USA TODAY investigation revealed sexual harassment allegations against Tucker by Brenda Tracy, a prominent rape survivor and activist hired by Tucker to speak to his team about sexual violence and consent.

Hours after USA TODAY’s investigation, Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller suspended Tucker without pay pending completion of the case. One week later, Haller notified Tucker he intended to fire him, saying the sexual conduct he has admitted to alone violates his contract.

“Your unconvincing rationalizations and misguided attempt to shift responsibility cannot and do not excuse your own behavior,” Haller wrote in a letter to Tucker on Wednesday. “Had you not engaged in this inappropriate and unprofessional conduct, the University would not be subject to public disrespect and ridicule regarding your actions.”

Tucker did not answer phone calls from USA TODAY to his personal and work cellphones. A voicemail has not been returned.

A complaint Tracy filed with the university’s Title IX office in December alleged Tucker pursued her romantically for several months, masturbated without her consent during an April 2022 phone call and later insinuated that he would ruin her career if she spoke out. The case has remained under investigation since, with a formal hearing scheduled for Oct. 5 and 6.

Tracy told the university’s outside investigator she believes Tucker pretended to be an ally in her cause to get close to her personally.

“It’s like he sought me out just to betray me,” she told USA TODAY.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2023/09/27/mel-tucker-michigan-state-football-coach-fired/70975766007/

Never have been a fan of those guys, and they already had other problems.