Michigan State University has officially fired head football coach Mel Tucker for violating the moral turpitude clause of his record $95 million contract. Tucker’s suspension came after a USA Today report on sexual harassment allegations made by Brenda Tracy, a rape survivor and activist who was hired to speak to the team about sexual assault prevention in 2021. Tracy filed a complaint with the university’s Title IX office, accusing Tucker of pursuing her romantically and engaging in non-consensual masturbation during a phone call. She claimed that Tucker threatened to ruin her career if she spoke out.
According to case documents shared by Tracy with USA Today, both she and Tucker admitted to developing a personal relationship after Tracy spoke to the team. They would chat on the phone about once every two weeks. While Tucker claimed that the flirtation was mutual, Tracy stated that he had only pretended to be interested in her cause to get closer to her. She felt betrayed and said, “It’s like he sought me out just to betray me.” Tucker admitted to masturbating during a phone call, which led to his termination since Tracy is considered a university vendor.
Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller wrote a letter to Tucker, stating that his unprofessional and unethical behavior of flirting, making sexual comments, and masturbating while on the phone with a university vendor is unacceptable. Haller’s letter was reported by USA Today. Tucker’s response to the termination letter did not refute or undermine the grounds for his termination. Instead, he provided excuses for his behavior while admitting to the problematic conduct mentioned in the notice. As Tucker is being fired for cause, the university could potentially save almost $80 million on his 10-year contract, according to CBS Sports. The university’s Title IX investigation concluded in July, and a hearing is scheduled for next week. Tucker maintains that the allegations are false and claims that the phone sex was consensual. (Read more MSU stories.)
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
