Mel Tucker, the head football coach at Michigan State University, was suspended without pay Sunday amid an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, university officials said.
A report published early Sunday morning in USA Today detailed allegations that Mr. Tucker harassed Brenda Tracy, a prominent advocate against sexual abuse, after she joined forces to denounce the culture of sexual violence in college sports. Ms. Tracy travels the country advising college and professional athletes on how to defend themselves against harassment and abuse several visits to Michigan State the last two years.
According to USA Today, Ms. Tracy accused Mr. Tucker of making sexual comments and masturbating during a phone conversation with her on April 28, 2022, and filed a formal Title IX complaint with the university in December.
Alan Haller, the university’s vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics, said during a news conference Sunday that the decision to abruptly suspend Mr. Tucker as head coach was “based on developments that could potentially impact the ongoing investigation.”
Michigan State has already played two games in the fall football season no later than Saturdayand Mr. Tucker coached both games.
Mr. Haller said an investigator hired by the university completed and submitted her report on the case in July. He defended the decision to keep Mr. Tucker as head coach until the university completes all steps of its formal process.
Teresa K. Woodruff, the university’s interim president, added that “the investigative process is ongoing and has not been forwarded to Mr. Haller or the university.” She added that “the process will not be complete until there is a hearing and a final decision.”
According to the USA Today report, this hearing is scheduled for October 5th and 6th.
Mr. Haller said that the university initially ordered that there be “no contact” between Mr. Tucker and Ms. Tracy and that it had increased oversight of the football program.
Sunday’s announcement brought back painful memories of the university’s role in another sexual misconduct case.
Michigan State has faced intense criticism over its handling of reports of sexual abuse against Larry Nassar, the former USA gymnastics team doctor who was long employed at the university.
Mr. Nassar was convicted multiple times in 2017 and 2018 for sex crimes involving hundreds of victims. He is expected to spend the rest of his life in prison.
“This morning’s news may sound like MSU of old,” Ms. Woodruff said at the news conference. “It was not. It was not because an independent, unbiased investigation was and continues to be conducted.”
Mr. Tucker was named head coach of Michigan State’s football team, the Spartans, in 2020. He previously served on several NFL and college coaching staffs. The university signed him to a 10-year, $95 million contract extension in 2021, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football.
Harlon Barnett will take over as acting head coach at Michigan State, Mr. Haller said.