Michigan State coach Mel Tucker firing overview:
- Who: Michigan State University has fired football coach Mel Tucker.
- Why: Tucker was removed for alleged sexual misconduct, and the remainder of his $80 million contract will not be honored by the university.
- Where: Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, Michigan.
Michigan State officially fired football coach Mel Tucker after conducting an investigation and receiving his response to allegations of sexual misconduct between Tucker and rape survivor and advocate Brenda Tracy.
Tucker is accused of flirting, making sexual comments and masturbating while on the phone with Tracy, who had been hired to speak to the Michigan State football team about her experiences with sexual assault, according to the university’s termination letter.
Tucker claimed that his relationship with Tracy was consensual and happened outside work hours. Tracy, however, filed a complaint with Michigan State over Tucker’s action that the school spent more than a year investigating.
“It is immaterial if, as you allege, these actions were purportedly consensual and somehow occurred outside of your workplace,” a letter to Tucker signed by Michigan State Athletic Director Alan Haller said. “As the University previously stated, ‘It is decidedly unprofessional and unethical to flirt, make sexual comments, and masturbate while on the phone with a University vendor.’”
Accuser said Michigan State board member leaked name to press, leading to USA Today story
The Michigan State football coach was suspended without pay after a report from USA Today revealed details of the allegations and investigation into Tucker’s actions. That report came after Tracy claims an MSU board member leaked her name to the press, according to The State News.
Haller’s letter said Tucker’s 25-page response to a notice of termination showed that Tucker has had the proper time to respond to the allegations and that the Michigan State football coach did not deny the allegations and instead provided a “litany of excuses” for Tucker’s actions.
“Your unconvincing rationalizations and misguided attempts to shift responsibility cannot and do not excuse your behavior,” Haller’s letter firing Tucker says. “Had you not engaged in this inappropriate and unprofessional conduct, the University would not be subject to public disrespect and ridicule regarding your actions.”
In 2020, allegations that Michigan State University staff failed to properly handle claims that the now-notorious Dr. Larry Nassar sexually assaulted a number of student-athletes were mostly dropped.
Do you believe Michigan State should have fired football coach Mel Tucker? Let us know in the comments.
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