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Michigan State University fired its head football coach Wednesday, two weeks after allegations surfaced that he had sexually harassed a rape survivor and activist.
A news release from Michigan State said that its officials had dismissed Mel Tucker “for 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.”
Alan Haller, the university’s vice president and athletics director, filed a notice of intent to terminate Tucker earlier this month, which drew a formal response from the coach.
“Simply put, Mr. Tucker’s response does not provide any information that refutes or undermines the multiple grounds for termination for cause set forth in the notice,” Haller said in the news release. “Instead, his 25-page response, which includes a 12-page letter from his attorney and a 13-page ‘expert report,’ provides a litany of excuses for his inappropriate behavior while expressly admitting to the problematic conduct outlined in the notice.”
USA Today reported earlier in September that Tucker allegedly made sexualized comments about activist Brenda Tracy and masturbated while on a telephone call with her in April 2022. Tucker and Tracy had reportedly developed a professional relationship as the coach and activist joined forces in a campaign to fight the culture of sexual violence in sports.
