Mel Tucker filed a lawsuit against Michigan State for what he sees as wrongful termination of his position as head football coach. Tucker claims in a federal suit filed Wednesday in Michigan that the school conducted an “improper, sham investigation” into the allegations, and disregarded his due process and the terms of his contract by firing him.
Tucker was fired in September after allegations of sexual harassment emerged against him. The university argued the allegations allowed them to end his deal with cause, meaning they wouldn’t have to pay the $80 million left on his contract. Tucker became the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten and the sixth-highest in college football when he signed a 10-year, $95 million deal in 2021.
Tucker’s behavior was found to have violated school policy in October, and Michigan State denied his appeal in January.
The former coach’s suit says the school’s interim president, Teresa Woodruff, and athletic director Alan Haller made “false and defamatory” statements that further damaged Tucker’s “reputation, his professional standing, and his livelihood.” It’s not clear from the suit how much of the $80 million Tucker wants back.
The allegations surround Tucker’s relationship with activist and rape survivor Brenda Tracy, who was paid $10,000 to share her experience of gang rape with the football team. Tucker claims the April 2022 incident in question was consensual phone sex, while Tracy says it is not. She filed a complaint with the school in December of that year, followed by one with Michigan State’s Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education months after that. Details became public in September 2023 in a USA Today report.
Tucker is the second Big Ten football coach to file a wrongful termination lawsuit in the past year. Former longtime Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald is suing his old boss for $130 million. He was fired after players came forward with stories of hazing and abuse within the program last summer. Fitzgerald is not accused of committing any of the abuse.
