Mel Tucker on rumors of contract extension with Michigan State

Michigan State has reportedly been talking about a contract extension with head football coach Mel Tucker. Over the past couple of weeks, a report emerged about a potential 10-year, $95 million contract extension for Tucker. That would make him the highest paid coach in the Big Ten and the highest paid Black coach across all sports.

Despite rumors of Tucker’s massive extension with Michigan State, he isn’t focusing on that right now. The Spartans just lost big to Ohio State, essentially eliminating them from the College Football Playoff. Regardless, Tucker is focused on Michigan State right now and the games ahead.

“That’s not my focus and that’s not the focus of my team,” Tucker told reporters on Monday when asked about the extension, via Graham Couch.

Last year, Michigan State went just 2-5 in Tucker’s first year as the team’s head coach. But the Spartans have exceeded expectations this year with a 9-2 record. Michigan State has been in the College Football Playoff hunt for many weeks.

Tucker has also been linked to the LSU opening

Rumors of Tucker’s potential extension with Michigan State came after he was linked to the LSU head coaching position. With Ed Orgeron being out after the season, the Tigers are looking for a quality replacement. Tucker has been a prominent name in rumors of that opening. Tucker has previously been an assistant at Alabama and Georgia, and he spent one year at Colorado before heading to Michigan State.

Earlier in the week, Tucker commented on his potential extension with the Spartans. He called Michigan State his “destination job.”

“That’s my goal,” Tucker said of staying at Michigan State for the long run. “I came here and I made it clear in my initial press conference that I thought that Michigan State was a destination job, not a stepping stone. Obviously, I have Big Ten roots – I played at Wisconsin, I’m from Cleveland, Ohio, my parents are three hours and 15 minutes away, my wife’s from Chicago and I know the Big Ten landscape. This is where I started my career in 1997 as a graduate assistant for Nick Saban, so Michigan State’s a special place for me.

“It was never my intention to come here and just pass through. I believe that we’re building something special here and I’ve had tremendous support here to do that – and we’re on the right track.”

Michigan State has one more game remaining in the regular season against Penn State. Whether Tucker signs a record extension with the Spartans or truly becomes a contender for the LSU opening, answers should be coming soon. Even though Michigan State won’t be playing in the College Football Playoff, the Spartans will still be playing in a prominent bowl game at the end of the season.