Michigan State informs football coach Mel Tucker it plans to fire him for cause

Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller announced on Monday he has filed a letter to head football coach Mel Tucker, expressing his intent to fire him for cause.

The letter, dated for Monday, states that the school is "terminating the Agreement for cause" under a clause in the contract in which MSU can fire Tucker if he "engages in any conduct which constitutes moral turpitude or which, in the University's reasonable judgment, would tend to bring public disrespect, contempt, or ridicule upon the University (e.g. material insubordinate or impropriety involving a student.)"

Tucker was suspended without pay by the school on Sept. 10 after a USA TODAY story in which Brenda Tracy accused Tucker of sexual harassment in April 2022.

"I, with the support of administration and board, have provided Mel Tucker with written notice of intent to terminate his contract for cause," Haller said. "This notification process is required as part of his existing contract. The notice provides Tucker with seven calendar days to respond and present reasons to me and the interim president as to why he should not be terminated for cause.

"This action does not conclude the ongoing Office for Civil Rights case; that rigorous process will continue."

Since the USA Today story was published, Tracy has accused Michigan State or someone within the university of leaking her name to the media and said she spoke with USA Today separately in order to get her story out.

Now, the university has said it has hired the law firm Jones Day to investigate the "alleged breaches" of confidentiality.

Former MSU head coach Mark Dantonio has returned since Tucker was suspended to serve in an advisory role while secondary coach Harlon Barnett was named acting head coach. In their first game in charge, the Spartans were blown out 41-7 at home against Washington.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State plans to fire Mel Tucker for cause