Mel Tucker responds to Michigan State sending notice of termination: ‘Other motives are at play’

Michigan State soccer trainer Mel Tucker won notice on Monday that the varsity intends to hearth him for motive within the wake of an ongoing sexual harassment investigation. Tucker is accused of harassing rape survivor and activist Brenda Tracy, who had in the past spoken to Tucker’s group. On Tuesday, Tucker launched a long observation responding to the notice the place he argues that “other motives are at play” within the college’s choice. Tucker claims that Michigan State “ignored its own policies in pushing a biased investigation” into the claims of harassment from Tracy.

“Let’s be clear. I don’t believe MSU plans to fire me because I admitted to entirely consensual, private relationship with another adult who gave one presentation at MSU, at my behest, over two years ago,” Tucker stated within the observation. 

Tucker proceeded to declare that Michigan State has had wisdom of the information “on which it supposedly relies to end my contract since at least March 2023” and that best the general public revealing of the varsity’s investigation has brought on motion within the shape of termination. He argues that the varsity has denied him due procedure by way of terminating him weeks prior to a scheduled listening to within the case (Oct. 5), declaring an “about-face” from athletic director Alan Haller who to start with claimed Tucker’s indefinite suspension was once an “interim measure” whilst the investigation endured. 

Tucker was once put on administrative go away with out pay on Sept. 10, in a while after the allegations had been made public. The college argued in Monday’s termination notice that the trainer’s “unprofessional and unethical behavior” violated the “moral turpitude” clause of his contract, and that his admission of positive movements involving Tracy introduced “public disrespect, contempt and ridicule upon the university.” 

Tracy’s criticism towards Tucker comprises allegations of unwelcome advances, together with masturbating all over a telephone name with out her consent. Tucker admitted to the masturbating however claimed it was once phase of a consensual, non-public dating. 

In firing Tucker for motive, Michigan State can steer clear of paying him greater than $79 million this is last on his contract, a deal that he signed in Nov. 2021 within the midst of an 11-win marketing campaign that resulted in a Peach Bowl win. Last season was once a disappointing encore because the Spartans went 5-7 after which misplaced more than one key starters to the switch portal, together with huge receiver Keon Coleman to Florida State and quarterback Payton Thorne to Auburn. 

Secondary trainer Harlon Barnett was once named the period in-between trainer for the rest of the season, whilst former long-time Spartans trainer Mark Dantonio has returned to this system as an affiliate trainer operating off the sector.