Michigan State has officially fired head football coach Mel Tucker for cause, terminating his 10-year, $95 million contract on Wednesday.
Enacting the moral turpitude clause in Tucker's contract, MSU cited his "admitted and undisputed behaviors which have brought public disrespect, contempt and ridicule upon the university."
Tucker, 51, is accused of sexual harassment by Brenda Tracy, a rape survivor and sexual assault prevention activist who had been contracted by Michigan State to speak to Tucker's team. Tucker has admitted to having phone sex with Tracy, an act he claims was consensual. Tracy says it was not.
"It is immaterial if, as you allege, these actions were purportedly consensual and somehow occurred outside of your Workplace," MSU wrote to Tucker in a termination letter delivered Wednesday. "As the University previously stated, it is decidedly unprofessional and unethical to flirt, make sexual comments, and masturbate while on the phone with a University vendor. Your unconvincing rationalizations and misguided attempts to shift responsibility cannot and do not excuse your own behavior."
"Had you not engaged in the inappropriate and unprofessional conduct," the letter continued, "the University would not be subject to public disrespect and ridicule."
Tucker's official firing comes after Michigan State notified him last week of its intent to terminate his contract. Athletic director Alan Haller said Wednesday in a statement that Tucker "failed to present adequate reasons (in response) as to why he shouldn't be terminated for cause."
"Instead, his 25-page response ... provides a litany of excuses for his inappropriate behavior while expressly admitting to the problematic conduct outlined in the notice," Haller said.
The action to terminate Tucker's contract does not end the investigation into Tracy's allegations being carried out by the MSU Office for Civil Rights. The case is scheduled for a formal hearing next month.
Per Michigan State, interim head coach Harlon Barnett will continue in said role. The Spartans, 0-2 in Tucker's absence, play at Iowa on Saturday night.
Hired in 2020 after serving as head coach for one season at Colorado, Tucker ends his tenure at Michigan State with a record of 20-14, 12-13 in the Big Ten.