Deion Sanders sends message to Mel Tucker after signing massive contract

Michigan State and head coach Mel Tucker made national headlines on Wednesday when the two parties agreed on a massive contract extension. The 10-year, $95 million contract will keep Tucker at Michigan State through the 2032 season. While Tucker’s extension has drawn criticism from some, Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders supports the monster deal.

“Congratulations to Coach Mel Tucker (Michigan State Football)! Man I appreciate u, admire u, respect u and I’m proud of u,” Sanders tweeted about Tucker. “You deserve every dime you’re blessed with. Yes Lawd.”

SEC Network’s Peter Burns took a shot at Tucker’s extension, comparing his resume and salary to Nick Saban at Alabama. Saban makes $9.7 million per season, and he has won seven national titles, 266 games, nine SEC Championships, and he has 14 ten-win seasons. But Tucker just got a $9.5 million per year deal with just 16 wins and an 8-7 Big Ten record.

Michigan State is certainly betting on the future potential of Tucker. Tucker did a great jobs turning things around this year, and like Sanders, Michigan State obviously thinks he was worth it. The Spartans head coach was linked to the LSU job opening prior to the extension.

Sanders, like Tucker, has also been linked to open jobs

Now in his second season as Jackson State’s head coach, Sanders has been linked to some job openings just like Tucker was. TCU was reportedly interested in hiring Sanders. Despite rumors, Sanders has denied having any interest in leaving Jackson State.

“Trust me, TCU and several others are not the only ones interested in what we do here at Jackson State,” Sanders said. “People are trying to figure out the formula, it ain’t no formula. It’s loving on these kids, challenging these kids, holding these kids accountable, making sure they maintain themselves to be smart, tough, fast, and disciplined and that’s the secret, not everyone has this recipe.”