Michigan State to provide update on football program during Sunday press conference
Michigan State interim president Tersa K. Woodruff and athletic director Alan Haller announced a time for an update on the football program, amid the Mel Tucker situation.
Amid the sexual harassment investigation into Tucker, Woodruff and Haller revealed the department would provide “an update on the football program” at 5 p.m. ET. After the report broke, Tucker’s future as the team’s head coach was immediately in doubt.
However, it is unclear if Tucker will be suspended or fired amid the investigation and the athletic department’s statement did not specify anything regarding Tucker.
But, the assumption is some sort of decision regarding Tucker will be the first and only item Sunday afternoon.
Michigan State coach Mel Tucker under investigation for sexual harassment
A Saturday night report from USA Today identified the complainant as high-profile anti-sexual violence advocate and rape survivor Brenda Tracy, who has made a career of speaking primarily to college-aged athletes.
The investigation into Tucker has been open for months and remains open, according to ESPN.
Tracy alleged in a Title IX complaint — which is being handled by lawyers hired by the university — that Tucker repeatedly made sexual comments and masturbated during a phone call on April 28, 2022. A report that resulted from that investigation was delivered to the university in July.
There will be a formal Title IX hearing during Oct. 5-6 — during the Michigan State idle week in the football season — to determine if Tucker violated the school policy banning sexual harassment and exploitation.
Should Tucker ultimately be fired, Michigan State could be on the hook for $71 million over the course of the 10-year contract after the combined gifts from noted boosters Mat Ishbia and Steven St. Andre. Tucker was signed to a 10-year, $95 million deal in late 2021.
Ishbia revealed on an episode of HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel that he had donated $14 million to the Tucker contract, which the docs confirm. St. Andre’s gift is for $10 million.
The documents, which are contracts spelling out the terms and timelines of the gifts from Ishbia and St. Andre, do not directly state the money is supposed to cover Tucker’s salary. In the case of St. Andre’s donation, the purpose is for “recruitment and retention” for the Michigan State football team.