Mel Tucker blasts sexual harassment claimant, Michigan State in public statement

Suspended Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker released a statement through his attorney Jennifer Z. Belveal on Monday afternoon vehemently disputing the sexual harassment claims against him by Brenda Tracy, which are the subject of an ongoing sexual harassment investigation.

Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari posted Tucker’s statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday afternoon.

In his statement, Tucker characterized the sexual harassment claim leveled against him as “devoid of any semblance of fairness,” and he also criticized Michigan State University for its handling of the entire incident. Tucker also claims that the hearing scheduled for Oct. 5 by Michigan State University to weigh the claims against him is “flawed.”  

Tucker said that Tracy’s allegations against him are completely false.

In his statement, Tucker acknowledged a relationship with Tracy. He also described his recollection of the 36-minute phone conversation with Tracy that is the subject of the sexual harassment claim against him. In his description of that phone call, Tucker says that Tracy initiated the conversation. He also claims that she sent him a provocative picture of herself.

Tucker characterizes the conversation at the center of the investigation against him as a “mutual private event between two adults living on opposite ends of the country.”

In his statement Tucker questions the validity of the claim against him given that the incident in question according to him was personal matter that in his words, “had nothing to do with the university.”

Tucker says that Tracy had encouraged a personal relationship between the two of them by accepting personal gifts. He also suggests that his relationship with Tracy began to sour when she was less than discreet in sharing details about his marriage that were told in confidence.

In his statement, Tucker criticized Michigan State University for its handling of the investigation, and he also speculates that the university is using the incident as a pretext to fire him, without paying the remaining 80 million dollars on his10-year 95 million dollar contract, which was signed after the Spartans went 11-2 in 2021.

Tucker’s contract includes a morality clause, which enables Michigan State to dismiss him with cause for personal behavior that reflects poorly on the program and the institution.

Tucker also claims in his statement Tracy’s allegation against him is financially motivated. He claims that he was told by Tracy’s lawyer that he shouldn’t be fired over her claim, but that it would take, “a lot of money to go away.”

Tucker says he issued a public statement because he doesn’t believe that the hearing scheduled for October 5 is adequate under to handle the claim against him. Tucker criticized the fact that witnesses at the hearing are not under oath and face no penalties should they perjure themselves.

Michigan State announced the suspension of Tucker during a joint press conference between athletic director Alan Haller and interim president Teresa Woodruff. During that press conference, Haller announced that Tucker would be suspended without pay and that secondary coach Harlon Barnett would take over as interim head coach. Haller also announced that former head coach Mark Dantonio would be returning to the Spartan football program in an advisory role with the title of associate head coach.

Barnett is scheduled to hold his first press conference as interim head coach on Tuesday at 12:30 pm ahead of this weekend’s game against Top 10 opponent Washington at home in Spartan Stadium.

Read Tucker’s complete statement as posted by Solari below.

Suspended MSU football coach Mel Tucker responds to allegations by Brenda Tracy via his attorney, Jennifer Z. Belveal. pic.twitter.com/eiw0L0CujQ

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 11, 2023