Tucker given notice of intent to terminate
[ED: I changed the title. This doesn't make him officially-officially fired; it's part of the process for firing him for cause. As expected, his admission that he [redacted] with a school vendor was cause enough. But don't worry--he's still super-duper fired.]
September 18th, 2023 at 6:44 PM ^
All the Tuckers getting the boot lately. What a shame.
September 18th, 2023 at 11:13 PM ^
maybe they could reboot Crossfire together and get Skip Bayliss to be their hype guy, Ed McMahon-style.
September 18th, 2023 at 6:49 PM ^
The best part for the rivalry angle is that msu may in fact hire a squeaky clean boring old caretaker for the job who steadies the ship but can't win anything
Wait this is MSU, prolly not
September 18th, 2023 at 6:59 PM ^
Surprise!!!
September 18th, 2023 at 7:38 PM ^
Lost out on a guaran-freaking-teed remaining $75-85 million because he let little Mel make his decisions for him. And now how much of what he did make is going to go straight to his wife when she undoubtedly leaves him?
September 18th, 2023 at 7:50 PM ^
How long did they know that he admitted to this? And he was only suspended after it was leaked to the media? And he is just now being fired?
I am still unclear on the timeline but wasn't the leaker (probably somebody from inside the university) the one who brought this to the media's attention? How could they have not been ahead of this by at least suspending him?
September 18th, 2023 at 7:55 PM ^
This sucks so much for Brenda Tracy. She was a rape victim who went through whatever hell to have everyone know she was a rape victim so she could go around preventing it from happening to other girls, and then not only does she get sexually harassed; she has to have her name spread around as a victim AGAIN. And I guarantee you some coaches are listening to Tucker's gaslighting, which means Tracy's job will only get harder. I hope she sues that asshole and gets whatever he extracts from the idiots at MSU who gave him that contract in the first place.
September 19th, 2023 at 8:32 AM ^
Whistle blowers are always punished. People like Mel Tucker know that and take advantage of it. Most people steer clear of controversy. They may want to hire someone like Brenda Tracy, but they are going to hire someone who doesn't have this circus around them.
September 18th, 2023 at 9:43 PM ^
Tuck will get fired for cause, get no money, sue and then settle for an amount enough to make him happy and both parties to shut up about this.
September 18th, 2023 at 10:15 PM ^
Given how badly MSU played this weekend, maybe give Brenda Tracy's number to Harlon Barnett and have him call her?
September 18th, 2023 at 10:16 PM ^
I am amazed that a guy with that kind of money was pleasuring himself with all of the women available to him $$$$. He just didn't want to collect that last 80 million, Mel belongs in the hall of shame with many other Sparties!
September 18th, 2023 at 10:52 PM ^
If he had just given Notice of Intent to Ejaculate we wouldn’t be here.
September 18th, 2023 at 11:21 PM ^
Maybe he can get a job as a tugboat operator
September 19th, 2023 at 12:01 AM ^
One has to think NOW - how much did Tracy want to settle this before Dec 2022 when she filed the complaint. Even if it was for a cool million, Mel was better off paying her, burying this in the want ads, living to advance for another 5 seasons, ranging from 5-7 to 8-4. His attorney is a dufus too.
September 19th, 2023 at 11:08 AM ^
She rejected multiple settlement offers. This isn’t about the money to her.
September 19th, 2023 at 7:48 AM ^
I think it’s becoming clear that Seth’s guess at what happened is more likely than anything. Someone at Michigan State leaked the investigation once it broke enough contain from the investigation circle to get Mel out of there asap.
It also looks like Michigan State’s position is that the October hearing is irrelevant to Mel’s job because even if his version of events is true, that’s a fireable for cause action.
September 19th, 2023 at 8:54 AM ^
I think it's more likely someone's spouse gossiped. Idk possible they did it on purpose but also like i dont think it's strategic to risk the for cause firing to fire him early in the season.
If I was being strategic about it I might leak it after the conference season is over, before/after the bowl game depending if it's a good one or not.
Makes no sense to risk losing 79million because you are greedy and want it ASAP in September??
Most likely someone went home, told their spouse, spouse tells their friends and now it's an open secret in East Lansing. Tracy catches wind and decides to go public to stay ahead of the story.
September 19th, 2023 at 9:15 AM ^
Agree with this. The people in charge at MSU aren't smart enough to be able to pull off a strategic leak. They would be pointing fingers and throwing each other under the bus.
September 19th, 2023 at 10:00 AM ^
I mean the rumors had been going around for a while in the MSU community, but not enough information to really know what it was. Like Tucker partying with his social group after seperating from his wife under less than amicable terms. But if legit news sources like USA today and ESPN are investigating it, they had more than some high up spouse gossiping at a nail salon. You don't go to press with that if you are reputable news agency our journalist. That's the message board stuff.
September 19th, 2023 at 8:37 AM ^
We really need to rise above the fray here. On a serious note a new accuser has come forward.
September 19th, 2023 at 8:45 AM ^
Mel's response to the intent to terminate is going to be fodder for years to come. (pun intended)
Little Mel was actually his emotional support animal that night.
He wasn't actually flirting with her, it was all misunderstood and taken out of context.
This is nothing more than a smear campaign intended to cheat him out of the money that he never deserved to begin with. If I wasn't for MSU begging him he's still be in CO and his team would be 2-0 right now. He's actually going to counter sue MSU for misrepresenting the opportunity in EL.
September 19th, 2023 at 10:44 AM ^
Colorado would not be 2-0 with Mel Tucker as coach I can tell you that.
September 19th, 2023 at 11:52 AM ^
well, none of the other points that Mel would be making are true either....
i think the sarcasm of the entire comment went over your head like a run-a-way USMC F35
September 19th, 2023 at 10:33 AM ^
If you can't beat Penix on the field....
September 19th, 2023 at 10:43 AM ^
MSU will fire
Tucker will sue
In short, Tucker can make life hell on MSU trying to find a new coach. And I'm here for it. As time has shown, MSU will stumble into a good one somehow. 9th best Big 18 program at best.
September 19th, 2023 at 11:02 AM ^
Nick Marsh, the 4* WR from River Rouge, crown jewel of their masterpiece recruiting class was offered by Deion Sanders last night. Who wants to break it to the delusional sharties that neither Coach Prime nor Nick Marsh are coming to EL?
September 19th, 2023 at 11:33 AM ^
Those dumbasses will probably see that as a sign that Deion will be their next head coach.
September 19th, 2023 at 11:26 AM ^
Does anyone else find the speculative lists of coaches who MSU will consider a bit foolish?
Big Ten money and all and why would XII and ACC coaches look at MSU when there may be better opportunities with less baggage at IU or Northwestern? Or why would Fleck jump ship from MN when he's essentially coach for life there these days?
Elko @ Duke
Leipold @ Kansas
Kleimann @ K-State
Narduzzi @ Pitt
Fleck @ Minny
I understand some of the G5 options like Fritz (Tulane), Candle (Toledo), or bringing Lewis (CU OC) back to the Midwest. Or even House (LSU DC). Those seem attainable BUT... there's a huge shadow over this program and you know MSU will not overpay again after Tug Comin' blew it.
September 19th, 2023 at 11:36 AM ^
Tucker just released his response.
*puts popcorn in microwave*
September 19th, 2023 at 1:39 PM ^
I know I shouldn't find this story amusing.
But it's Michigan State.
September 20th, 2023 at 12:37 PM ^
His statement looks like one of us wrote it.
September 20th, 2023 at 8:09 PM ^
Normally tug of war between two parties involves a rope. What did Mel bring?