Conflicting report emerges on potential massive contract for Mel Tucker

News broke Wednesday that Michigan State was prepared to offer football coach Mel Tucker a contract extension. However, the Detroit Free-Press countered that report with the same news, just different figures.

Michigan State is preparing a historic $95 million, 10-year contract extension for Tucker, according to the Detroit Free-Press. It would make him the highest paid coach in the Big Ten and the nation’s highest-paid Black coach across all sports.

Per Michigan State football alums and “Inside the Locker Room” hosts Brian Mosallam and Jason Strayhorn, fellow alums and big donors Matt Ishbia and Steve St. Andre stepped in to fund the extension.

More about Mel Tucker

After the departure of long-time coach Mark D’Antonio, Michigan State went after Mel Tucker. Despite just one season at Colorado, he was viewed as a rising star in the industry with time spent at Alabama and Georgia as an assistant.

The Spartans went 2-5 in Tucker’s first season, which was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. But Michigan State hit a new gear this year, now 9-1 over the first 10 games. They are now ranked No. 7 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, with a win over No. 6 Michigan and an upcoming game against No. 4 Ohio State.

Tucker made a huge splash in the transfer portal last offseason, as well, when he landed Wake Forest transfer Kenneth Walker III. Walker has become a Heisman contender this season, leading the nation with 148.3 rush yards per game — a stark contrast to last year when Michigan State’s run game was almost non-existent.

Previous reports

Justin Thind first reported the future extension Wednesday morning. His source expected to include a salary in excess of $8 million a year, a sizable increase from the $5.5 million he is currently making.

However, even that umber was a jump from the first hint of an extension. Rico Beard of 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit was first to bring up the possibility of an extension last week.

“I have sources who said it appears that Mel Tucker is going to be getting a contract extension with money around $6.8 to $7.8 million (per year) with escalators and bonuses that could take him up even higher,” Beard said on “The Valenti Show with Rico” on Nov. 11.

One possibly reason for the increase – or perceived increase – is interest from rival schools. Tucker has become a popular name in connection to the LSU opening, controlled by athletic director Scott Woodward. The Louisiana native also has a history of splashy hires, including Jimbo Fisher’s $100 million, 10-year deal at Texas A&M.