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Michigan State announces plan to terminate Mel Tucker for cause

On3 imageby: Sam Gillenwater09/18/23samdg_33
Michigan State HC Mel Tucker
Nick King | Lansing State Journal | USA TODAY NETWORK

Mel Tucker’s third season at Michigan State started on the right foot on the field but then the wrong foot off of it due to a Title IX investigation into his conduct. Now, the Spartans have made the final decision that this third season will now be his last with the program.

Michigan State has officially terminated Mel Tucker for cause today. After they suspended him with pay at the start of this ordeal, he is now out in East Lansing per a release from the athletics department.

“I, with the support of administration and board, have provided Mel Tucker with a written notice of intent to terminate his contract for cause. This notification process is required as part of his existing contract,” Haller wrote. “The notice provides Tucker with seven calendar days to respond and present reasons to me and the interim president as to why he should not be terminated for cause.”

However, as Haller then pointed out, this notice will not affect the civil rights case or October hearing regarding Tucker.

“This action does not conclude the ongoing Office for Civil Rights case; that rigorous process will continue,” Haller added.

This all started with a report later in the night after Michigan State’s 45-14 victory over Richmond, their second of the season. That USA Today report that came out that evening went into disturbing detail into an investigation regarding Tucker’s conduct and behavior with and toward Brenda Tracy, a former rape victim.

After reports suggested that he was originally fired on the following Sunday, those were then refuted with the news of his suspension with more action to come depending on the outcome of the investigation and a hearing set for the start of October.

Michigan State elevated Harlon Barnett to interim head coach in the aftermath of this matter. In his first game leading the program, the Spartans lost 41-7 to No. 8 Washington this past weekend.

Tucker’s 27-game tenure at Michigan State will end with an overall record of 18-9. Much of that success came in his first season in 2021 where the Spartans went 11-2 and won the Peach Bowl.

Considering all things, this was the very likely outcome of the inexcusable matter regarding Tucker. The questions now turn to where Michigan State turns as far as coaching candidates and how Tucker’s ongoing case pans out.