Michigan State rips HC Mel Tucker in termination letter

Michigan State rips HC Mel Tucker in termination letter
from Eric Smithling, with YardBarker.com/www.yardbarker.com

Michigan State and Mel Tucker are headed toward an ugly divorce.

Per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Michigan State officials are moving toward firing Tucker “for cause” after signing him to a 10-year, $95M contract extension in Nov. 2021.

Michigan State has announced it has begun the process of firing coach Mel Tucker for cause. pic.twitter.com/FTYpTMvDhW

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 18, 2023

According to Thamel, Michigan State told Tucker’s attorney in a statement it has enough evidence to support its decision to fire him.

In documents, Michigan State tells Tucker's attorney that the school has "amassed a body of undisputed evidence of misconduct that warrants termination
for cause." https://t.co/GJiSKI7UlC

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 18, 2023

Thamel notes the university invoked an early termination provision, which states that Tucker brought “public disrespect, contempt, and ridicule on the university.”

Also: "your admitted actions have decidedly brought public disrespect, contempt, and ridicule on the University. Given your admitted actions, the University may terminate the Agreement under…

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 18, 2023

Per the letter, Tucker has “seven days ‘to present to the Athletic Director and the University’s President as to why [you] should not be terminated on the grounds … stated.”

The two sides are digging their heels in for a fight but chances are Tucker’s coached his final game with the Spartans.

On Sept. 10, USA Today reported on an investigation into Tucker after Brenda Tracy, an advocate on sexual misconduct prevention, filed “a complaint with the university’s Title IX office in [Dec. 2022],” alleging sexual misconduct from Tucker.

The university suspended him without pay the following day.

While acknowledging an intimate phone conversation, Tucker wrote in a statement that it was consensual. He blasted the university’s decision, as well as the investigation into the matter, in a statement, writing “The sham ‘hearing’ scheduled for Oct. 5-6 is ridiculously flawed and not designed to arrive at the truth.”