Mel Tucker preparing wrongful termination lawsuit against Michigan State after coach fired amid allegations

Former Michigan State coach Mel Tucker is preparing to report a possible wrongful termination lawsuit against the varsity after he used to be fired for purpose on Wednesday. Tucker, in a letter obtained by ESPN that used to be despatched to Michigan State’s common suggest thru his legal professional, asked the varsity deal with digital and paper information for all athletic division workers and a number of other different faculty officers “in anticipation of litigation.”

Tucker, 51, used to be to begin with suspended with out pay on Sept. 10 after allegations of sexual misconduct from rape survivor and activist Brenda Tracy had been made public. Tucker admitted to having a private dating with Tracy however claimed allegations of unwelcome sexual feedback and acts all through an April 2022 telephone name had been finished with consent. Spartans assistant Harlon Barnett used to be due to this fact named Michigan State’s performing coach.

The college initiated the firing procedure for Tucker on Sept. 18. Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller, in a letter to Tucker informing him of the verdict, wrote that Tucker’s movements with Tracy violated the ethical turpitude clause of his contract and “brought public disrespect, contempt and ridicule” upon Michigan State. 

Tucker mentioned he used to be “disappointed but not surprised” through his firing. He advised Michigan State’s management had ulterior motives in firing him, contending that “a cursory reading of the facts and timeline should cause any fair-minded person to conclude that other motives are at play.” By firing him with purpose, Michigan State have shyed away from paying Tucker just about $80 million nonetheless owed on his deal, which used to be set to run thru 2031. 

A listening to on whether or not Tucker’s interactions with Tracy violated college polices continues to be set to continue as scheduled in early October. 

Tucker used to be in his fourth season with Michigan State. He spent one season as Colorado’s coach in 2019. Tucker’s tenure with the Spartans peaked in 2021, when he led this system to 11 wins and Peach Bowl victory against Pitt. Tucker earned a profitable contract extension, however Michigan State regressed to a 5-7 end in 2022. 

The Spartans started the 2023 marketing campaign 2-0 sooner than Tucker used to be suspended. Michigan State since dropped contests against Washington and Maryland below Barnett’s watch to fall to 2-2. The Spartans play at Iowa in Week 5, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.