Tucker’s $95 million contract terminated after school concludes he breached terms over misconduct
Michigan State University has fired head football coach Mel Tucker after a sexual harassment investigation, which found that his actions violated the terms of his contract. The school terminated the remainder of his $95 million, 10-year agreement, citing Tucker’s conduct as a breach of contract and an act of moral turpitude, which caused the institution public embarrassment.
The allegations against Tucker stemmed from an April 2022 phone call he had with Brenda Tracy, a rape survivor and activist. Tucker described the conversation as consensual phone sex, but Tracy later accused him of sexually harassing her during their exchange. She filed a formal complaint with Michigan State’s Title IX office months later.
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs and activities, and the university took the matter seriously, initiating an investigation. The review ultimately concluded that Tucker’s actions warranted termination, as they breached not only the school’s ethical standards but also the terms of his contract.
Tucker was suspended while the investigation was underway, and he failed to present sufficient justification for why he should remain in his role. The university noted that his conduct subjected the school to ridicule and reflected poorly on the institution’s values. As a result, the termination was executed for cause.
The university’s decision highlights the increasing attention placed on sexual misconduct and harassment in college sports, a field traditionally slow to address such issues. Michigan State’s swift action against Tucker sets a precedent for handling serious allegations, prioritizing the well-being of students, staff, and the institution’s reputation.
Despite Tucker’s success as a coach, the school determined that the severity of the allegations and his inability to defend his actions left no choice but to part ways. Michigan State’s leadership will now have to navigate the fallout from this scandal while searching for a new coach to lead the football program.
Tucker’s firing also brings the issue of sexual harassment in sports to the forefront once again, raising questions about how institutions handle allegations of misconduct, particularly when high-profile individuals are involved. This incident is likely to lead to further discussions on how to protect survivors and ensure accountability in the world of college athletics.