WATCH: Mel Tucker reacts to massive new contract extension in the works
While Michigan State is reportedly preparing a historic 10-year, $95 million contract extension for head football coach Mel Tucker, the Spartans’ head man joined The Draymond Green Show on Thursday and reacted to a question Green asked about Tucker staying in East Lansing long-term.
“That’s my goal,” Tucker said of staying at Michigan State for the long run. “I came here and I made it clear in my initial press conference that I thought that Michigan State was a destination job, not a stepping stone. Obviously, I have Big Ten roots – I played at Wisconsin, I’m from Cleveland, Ohio, my parents are three hours and 15 minutes away, my wife’s from Chicago and I know the Big Ten landscape. This is where I started my career in 1997 as a graduate assistant for Nick Saban, so Michigan State’s a special place for me.
“It was never my intention to come here and just pass through. I believe that we’re building something special here and I’ve had tremendous support here to do that – and we’re on the right track.”
Currently in his second season leading the Spartans’ program, he has the team sitting at 9-1 overall and ranked No. 7 in the College Football Playoff Top 25 heading into Saturday’s marquee Big Ten matchup with No. 4 Ohio State.
Background on Mel Tucker
After the departure of longtime head coach Mark D’Antonio, Michigan State went after Tucker. Despite just one season at Colorado, he was viewed as a rising star in the industry with time spent at Alabama and Georgia as an assistant.
The Spartans went just 2-5 in Tucker’s first season in 2020, which was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but Michigan State has hit a new gear this year under Tucker’s direction.
While he’s been successful on the field, Tucker has been big in recruiting in East Lansing as he made a huge splash in the transfer portal last offseason and landed Wake Forest transfer running back Kenneth Walker III. Walker has become a Heisman Trophy contender this season, leading the nation with 148.3 rush yards per game — a stark contrast to last year when Michigan State’s run game was almost non-existent.
One possible reason for Tucker’s contract increase – or perceived increase – is because of high interest from rival schools. Tucker has become a popular name in connection to the LSU opening, which is being controlled by athletic director Scott Woodward, who has a history of splashy hires including Jimbo Fisher’s 10-year, $100 million deal at Texas A&M.