MSU football coach suspended amid sexual harassment investigation
Michigan State University head coach Mel Tucker has been suspended without pay as part of an ongoing investigation, the university said Sunday. Video above: MSU athletic director announces Tucker’s suspension. Vice President and Athletics Director Alan Haller announced in a news conference Sunday that Tucker is part of an ongoing investigation that began in December. An investigative report was filed in July and a formal hearing will be held the week of Oct. 5, Haller said. Tucker’s suspension follows an explosive report published in USA Today on Saturday evening. According to the USA Today report, Tucker is alleged to have made sexual comments and masturbated during a phone conversation with Brenda Tracy, an attorney and rape survivor. In a letter to investigators, Tucker described the relationship between him and Tracy as “consensual and intimate,” according to USA Today. The details of the USA Today report have not been independently verified. According to her website, Tracy founded the nonprofit Set The Expectation, where she speaks to athletes about ending sexual violence. Tracy was raped by four college football players in 1998, which led to her advocacy. According to the program’s social media accounts, Tracy served as an honorary captain for the team’s spring football game in 2022. This is Tucker’s fourth season with the team, as he became the head coach in 2020 for the Spartans, the website states the University. “This morning’s news may sound like MSU of old; “But that wasn’t it,” Teresa K. Woodruff, interim president of Michigan State University, said Sunday afternoon. “This is not because an independent, unbiased investigation has been and continues to be conducted.” Secondary coach Harlon Barnett will step in as associate head coach, Haller announced, and former MSU head coach Mark Dantonio will become associate head coach. According to their football schedule, the Spartans will face the Washington Huskies at home on Saturday. Woodruff drew attention to counseling resources available to anyone who may be affected by this news and mentioned the Center for Survivors and the Office for Civil Rights on campus “If you have heard, experienced, or know of behavior that seems inappropriate, Please know that you have the support and resources here at MSU,” Woodruff said. CNN reached out to Tracy and her attorney on Sunday but did not receive a response.CNN also reached out to Tucker’s agent after his suspension was announced but did not receive a response.
Michigan State University head coach Mel Tucker has been suspended without pay pending an ongoing investigation, the university announced Sunday.
Video above: MSU athletic director announces Tucker’s suspension
Vice President and Director of Athletics Alan Haller announced in a news conference Sunday that Tucker was the subject of an ongoing investigation that began in December. An investigative report was submitted in July and a formal hearing will take place the week of Oct. 5, Haller said.
Tucker’s suspension follows an explosive report published in USA Today on Saturday evening.
According to the USA Today report, Tucker allegedly made sexual comments and masturbated during a phone conversation with Brenda Tracy, an attorney and rape survivor.
In a letter to investigators, Tucker described his and Tracy’s relationship as “consensual and intimate,” according to USA Today.
CNN has not independently verified the details of the USA Today report.
According to her website, Tracy founded the nonprofit Set The Expectation, where she speaks to athletes about ending sexual violence. Tracy was raped by four college football players in 1998, which led to her advocacy.
According to the show’s social media accounts, Tracy served as an honorary captain for the team’s spring football game in 2022.
According to the university’s website, this is Tucker’s fourth season with the team since he became the Spartans’ head coach in 2020.
“This morning’s news may sound like MSU of old; “But that wasn’t the case,” Teresa K. Woodruff, interim president of Michigan State University, said Sunday afternoon. “This is not because an independent, unbiased investigation has been and continues to be conducted.”
Sophomore coach Harlon Barnett will step in as associate head coach, Haller announced, and former MSU head coach Mark Dantonio will become associate head coach. According to their football schedule, the Spartans will face the Washington Huskies at home on Saturday.
Woodruff pointed to counseling resources available to anyone who may be affected by this news and mentioned the Center for Survivors and the Office for Civil Rights on campus.
“If you have heard, experienced, or are aware of behavior that seems inappropriate, please know that you have the support and resources here at MSU,” Woodruff said.
CNN reached out to Tracy and her attorney on Sunday but did not receive a response.
CNN also reached out to Tucker’s agent after his suspension was announced but did not receive a response.
