Michigan State coach Mel Tucker suspended without pay for alleged sexual harassment

Content warning: this article contains graphic sexual harassment allegations.

Michigan State head football coach Mel Tucker was suspended following reports that he sexually harassed anti-rape activist Brenda Tracy.

that Tucker allegedly sexually harassed Tracy while she was working with his team. Tracy, a rape victim, has been working with the university's football team and other organizations regarding sexual assault education and filed a complaint with Michigan State University regarding Tucker's alleged conduct, and he is the subject of the school's Title IX investigation.

On Sunday afternoon, Michigan State University announced that Tucker had been suspended without pay. Athletic Director Alan Haller said that secondary coach Harlan Barnett will be the team's interim coach while Tucker is suspended, and former Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio will serve as a special assistant.

When asked about the timing of Tucker's suspension, Haller referred to the ongoing process at the school and did not explain specifically why Michigan State decided to suspend Tucker hours after the accusations became public. Tracy's accusations against Tucker were filed with the school in December.

Tucker, 51, is 19-14 as head coach at Michigan State. He was hired by the Spartans before the 2020 season after a year as head coach at Colorado State. He went 2-5 in his debut season, but went 11-2 in 2021, winning the Peach Bowl. This meteoric rise led Tucker to extend his 10-year contract with $95 million guaranteed, making him one of the highest paid coaches in college football.

However, this contract money is only guaranteed if Tucker is fired without cause, TAGS: