Michigan State begins process of firing coach Mel Tucker

Michigan State has begun the method of firing soccer coach Mel Tucker for trigger.

The college launched an announcement Monday asserting that it intends to terminate Tucker’s contract.

“I, with the assist of the administration and board, have supplied Mel Tucker with written discover of intent to terminate his contract for trigger,” Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller mentioned. “This notification course of is required as a part of his current contract. The discover gives Tucker with seven calendar days to reply and current causes to me and the interim president as to why he shouldn’t be terminated for trigger.”

Tucker is within the third yr of a $95 million, 10-year contract; nevertheless, the varsity wouldn’t must pay him what’s remaining on his deal if he is fired for trigger.

A Title IX criticism was filed towards Tucker in December 2022 by sexual assault prevention advocate Brenda Tracy, who claims Tucker despatched her presents, requested if she would date him if he weren’t married and masturbated with out her consent throughout a telephone name.

Tucker has rebutted the characterization of his relationship with Tracy, saying the 2 have been in a “mutually consensual and intimate relationship.”

Michigan State employed a third-party investigator to determine whether or not Tucker had violated the varsity’s sexual misconduct coverage. The investigator completed her report July 25, Haller mentioned final week, and really useful that the varsity maintain a listening to to determine whether or not Tucker violated any coverage. That listening to is scheduled for the primary week of October.

The Title IX course of will proceed, Haller mentioned in Monday’s assertion.

Michigan State is trying into the supply of a leak that led to Tracy’s id being revealed as a part of an investigation into her allegations.

Tucker was suspended with out pay by the college Sept. 10. Secondary coach Harlon Barnett was promoted to interim coach forward of Saturday’s loss to No. 8 Washington. The Spartans host Maryland on Saturday.

Data from ESPN’s Dan Murphy was used on this report.