Report: Michigan State under investigation for alleged recruiting violations under Mel Tucker

Michigan State is under investigation by the NCAA for alleged recruiting violations, university president Kevin Guskiewsicz told The Detroit News. The alleged violations occurred under former coach Mel Tucker.

It’s unclear the severity of the allegations, and Guskiewicz didn’t confirm how serious the violations are. The school parted ways with Tucker in 2023 following a Title IX investigation and a sexual harassment claim filed against him by rape survivor and activist Brenda Tracy.

Guskiewicz told The Detroit News he has a meeting with the NCAA next week about the issue and said MSU is looking to “make the case” for an entirely new coaching staff now that Jonathan Smith is getting ready for his second season as head coach. An NCAA spokesperson told the publication it could not comment on current, pending or potential investigation.

Michigan State associate athletics director Matt Larson said the school “cooperated” with the NCAA in its investigation. He also reaffirmed the university would keep doing so.

“Michigan State athletics has cooperated with the NCAA to review a potential matter concerning the football program under the former staff,” Larson said, via The Detroit News, “and will continue to do so for the duration of the process. NCAA rules do not permit the university to provide any additional details at this time.”

At the time of his departure, Tucker was in his fourth season in East Lansing after taking over for Mark Dantonio. He had a 20-14 overall record, including a 12-13 mark in Big Ten play, and turned in his best season in 2021 as MSU finished 11-2 overall.

After Harlon Barnett finished the 2023 season as Michigan State’s interim head coach, the school brought in Smith from Oregon State as the program’s next full-time headman. The Spartans had an up-and-down go through 2024, finishing 5-7 overall and 3-6 in conference play during Smith’s first season.

In the meantime, Tracy’s lawsuit against Tucker is ongoing. However, MSU’s student newspaper The State News reported, court officials have been unable to locate him to serve him the suit. In the filing, according to The State News, Tucker’s attorney attempted to reach him with certified letters. They were sent to the East Lansing home he appears to still own, as well as nine previously known addresses, and they were all returned undeliverable. They also did not have a forwarding address, per The State News.

Michigan State’s investigation into Tucker found he violated the university’s sexual harassment policy, USA Today reported at the time. Tucker was accused of sexually harassing Tracy and the university fired him in September 2023 after previously announcing a suspension.