Coach Mel Tucker Officially Terminated by Michigan State

Michigan State University has officially terminated men's head football coach Mel Tucker.

Tucker, who has been with the university since 2020, has recently been embroiled in controversy surrounding allegations made against him by rape survivor, registered nurse, advocate, and speaker Brenda Tracy. The allegations were made public by an exposé published by USA Today in early September.

What Are the Allegations Against Mel Tucker?

Tracy alleges that Tucker made her participate in unwanted phone sex, and masturbated while on the phone with her without her consent.

Following the release of the USA Today investigation, Michigan State University suspended Tucker without pay while they concluded their investigation.

Eight days later, the university announced that it had begun the process of terminating Tucker's employment.

When Was Mel Tucker Fired?

Today, Wednesday, September 27, 2023, the university announced that Tucker had been officially terminated, stating in part that they reached the decision due to,

his admitted and undisputed behaviors which have brought public disrespect, contempt and ridicule upon the university; and constitute a material breach of his agreement, and moral turpitude.

In November 2022, Tucker signed a ten-year $95 million contract with the university, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NCAA.

This is a developing story.

Who will replace Tucker as the head coach of the Michigan State University football team? Here are some options.

10 Realistic Candidates Michigan State Could Target For Next Head Coach

This list isn't like the dozens of others you've seen cobbled together with an amalgamation of next-to-impossible hires, like Nick Saban, and completely unqualified guys, such as Division 2 candidates and coaches who have been at a Group of Five job for five-plus years. This group consists of legitimate names who meet most if not all of the qualifications and needs of MSU's football program and who would probably be interested if the Spartans made an overture.

We've also rated each candidate in terms of the likelihood that they'll be seriously by Michigan State.