Michigan State University’s head football coach, Mel Tucker, has been suspended without pay following allegations of sexual harassment made by prominent rape survivor and advocate, Brenda Tracy.
USA Today first reported the disturbing incident on September 10, 2023.
Brenda Tracy is an advocate for sexual assault survivors. She herself endured a horrific gang rape in 1998 by four college football players. Despite the trauma, Tracy chose to rebuild her life and later stepped forward publicly in 2014 to champion the cause of survivors.
Apparently, Tucker and Tracy established a professional connection centered around her advocacy efforts.
Tucker extended three separate invitations to Tracy, including two occasions where she was invited to address his players and staff, and one instance when she was honored as a distinguished captain during the team’s spring football game.
Things changed when the alleged incident between Tucker and Tracy occurred during a phone call on April 28, 2022.
As per the complaint to Michigan State University’s Title IX office, Tracy claims that Tucker made sexual comments about her and engaged in explicit behavior, which left her deeply traumatized.
For Tracy, this encounter reopened wounds from her past ordeal, leaving her in disbelief that someone who professed to understand her trauma could inflict further pain.
“The idea that someone could know me and say they understand my trauma but then re-inflict that trauma on me is so disgusting to me, it’s hard for me to even wrap my mind around it,” she told USA TODAY. “It’s like he sought me out just to betray me.”
Tucker, however, has a different perspective on the incident.
To Michigan State University’s Title IX investigator, Tucker acknowledged engaging in sexual activity during the call but claimed it was consensual “phone sex.”
He vehemently denied any wrongdoing and expressed remorse for the situation.
Michigan State University swiftly responded to these allegations by suspending Mel Tucker without pay.
A formal hearing to address the allegations is scheduled for the week of October 5, 2023.
During Tucker’s suspension, secondary coach Harlon Barnett will take on the role of acting head coach, while former MSU head coach Mark Dantonio will serve as an associate head coach.
On February 12, 2020, Mel Tucker, then the head coach of the University of Colorado football team, tendered his resignation to join as the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans.
Tucker’s six-year deal with Michigan State was valued at a whopping $5.5 million annually.
Before donning the green and white of the Spartans, Tucker had a storied coaching career that spanned the NFL and the NCAA.
He had previously served as the interim head coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars during the final five games of the 2011 NFL season.
His college coaching journey included stints as the defensive backs coach at powerhouse programs Ohio State and Alabama, as well as defensive coordinator roles with the Chicago Bears in the NFL and the University of Georgia.
Fast forward to November 2021, Mel Tucker secured a 10-year, $95 million contract from Michigan State University. This deal made Tucker one of the highest-paid coaches in the history of college football.
