SEC Network analyst takes shot at Mel Tucker after Michigan State extension

Michigan State and head coach Mel Tucker agreed to a historic contract extension on Wednesday night. The deal is worth $95 million over the next ten years and is set to expire in January 2032.

Tucker’s extension comes in the midst of his second season as Michigan State’s head football coach. After longtime coach Mike D’Antonio departed, the Spartans brought in Tucker to lead the program after he spent one season coaching at Colorado. Tucker has previously spent time as an assistant coach under Alabama’s Nick Saban.

Following the extension, SEC Network analyst Peter Burns took a shot at the deal Michigan State gave Tucker. Burns compared Tucker’s $9.5 million salary despite having just 16 career wins and an 8-7 Big Ten record to Nick Saban’s $9.7 million salary despite an obviously much stronger resume.

Nick Saban

7 National Titles
266 Career Wins
14 10 Win Seasons
9 SEC Titles

$9.7 Million a Year

Mel Tucker
16 career wins
8-7 in Big 10

$9.5 Million a Year https://t.co/B7l5SCfD21

— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) November 25, 2021

Tucker was viewed as candidate for prominent jobs, led to Michigan State extension

With the coaching carousel taking shape over the last month, and especially recent weeks, Tucker’s name had been linked to multiple prominent job openings, including LSU. With that speculation circulating, Michigan State had to act fast with an extension to keep Tucker around.

Even though Tucker might not yet have the resume of a $9.5 million coach, he has done a tremendous job in turning Michigan State around this season. In giving Tucker the extension, the Spartans are investing in his potential and the program’s future.

“The decision to extend Mel Tucker’s contract is not based on one year of results, but rather it’s an investment in a promising future for Spartan football,” Michigan State vice president and athletic director Alan Haller said. “Since his hire in February 2020, the program has experienced high levels of success in three key areas. Student-athlete development – on and off the field, recruiting momentum and donor and alumni base engagement and support. Mel has brought an energy to this program which has benefited not only our athletic department, but also the university and the surrounding community.”

Michigan State wraps up the regular season with a game against Penn State on Saturday.