Michigan State moves to fire football coach Mel Tucker: What's next?

Michigan State is parting ways with football coach Mel Tucker amid an investigation into sexual harassment allegations

Michigan State has informed football coach Mel Tucker that it intends to terminate his contract for cause, the school announced in a statement on Monday.

The school initially suspended Tucker without pay, a decision it made on Sept. 10, although insiders revealed that Michigan State had already privately decided on that date to fire the coach at some point.

"I, with the support of administration and board, have provided Mel Tucker with written notice of intent to terminate his contract for cause," MSU vice president and athletic director Alan Haller said in a statement.

He added: "This notification process is required as part of his existing contract. 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."

The decision comes more than a week after it was revealed that Tucker was the subject of an investigation by the school into allegations of sexual harassment that was revealed, according to an ESPN report. 

That investigation, which remains open, began months ago, but with no action being taken before the start of the 2023 college football season.

Secondary coach Harlon Barnett will continue to serve as the interim head coach with former Spartans coach Mark Dantonio returning to the program in an advisory role.

A complaint filed last December by Brenda Tracy, a prominent rape survivor and activist against sexual violence, accused Tucker of making sexually inappropriate comments and masturbating while she "sat frozen for several minutes" during a phone conversation last April. Tracy shared the details of her complaint with USA Today.

"The idea that someone could know me and say they understand my trauma but then re-inflict that trauma on me is so disgusting to me, it's hard for me to even wrap my mind around it," Tracy told USA Today. "It's like he sought me out just to betray me."

She also alleges numerous other inappropriate incidents. 

Tucker signed a 10-year contract worth $95 million after leading the Spartans to an 11-2 record during the 2021 season. 

---

More college football from SI: Top 25 Rankings | Schedule | Teams

Follow College Football HQ: Bookmark | Rankings | Picks