Social media reacts to Mel Tucker suspension: 'Will never coach again' at Spartan Stadium
Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker has been suspended without pay while the university investigates a Title IX claim that he sexually harassed Brenda Tracy, a prominent rape survivor and national activist.
Tucker built a relationship with Tracy after she visited the team, but he allegedly made an unwanted advance in April of 2022, masturbating while on a video call, as detailed in a USA TODAY investigation published early Sunday morning.
The matter was first reported to the university in December 2022. After the USA Today report, Michigan State held a news conference Sunday evening , announcing secondary coach and longtime MSU assistant Harlon Barnett will serve as the interim coach, with former MSU head coach Mark Dantonio returning as an associate head coach.
A formal hearing is still set for Oct. 5, the week of MSU's bye week, where the findings will be discussed.
Tucked signed a 10-year, $95 million fully guaranteed contract extension in 2021 after leading the Spartans to an 11-2 record, but there may be some potential outs for the Spartans if they fire him for cause using the "moral turpitude" clause in the contract.
The shocking developments over the last 24 hours have exasperated many journalists, fans, and officials around the country. Here are some of the most interesting reactions.
MSU says Mel Tucker was suspended today because of developments. What developments? Other than everyone learning about the investigation what changed from when the complaint was filed? Why not suspend then while investigation was ongoing? Questions I'd ask if I was at presser.
— David Jesse (@reporterdavidj) September 10, 2023
MSU interim president Dr. Teresa Woodruff stressed multiple times that this is not “the MSU of old” but both she and AD Haller provided little by way of clarity about how the decision to suspend Mel Tucker was determined and whether any new info has come to light
— Katie Strang (@KatieJStrang) September 10, 2023
The actionable offense shouldn't be the scandal going public. This is an incredibly weak response from the Board on down. The University knew about the allegations in December, had the Report in July and only took action once the public became aware. Nothing has changed.
— Matt Hall (@dad2hbnl) September 10, 2023
The allegations are unfathomable.
Michigan State hired Mel Tucker out of desperation, then bet the house on him. Today, he is accused, of sexually harassing (and later threatening) a woman whose mission is to stamp out sexual predators in college sports. https://t.co/Z0Yo4ao1Es— Ross Jones (@rossjonesWXYZ) September 10, 2023
Except that they only allowed 3 questions because they ran out of time…what else is more pressing than this?
— Bob Gould (@bgouldmsu) September 10, 2023
Fired or suspended, confident Tucker will never coach again. At least not at Spartan Stadium. My question is why was this sat on for a year and a half?
— Paul Fogle ♿️ (he/him) (@PaulFoglePA) September 10, 2023
So just delaying the firing, possibly for legal reasons so they can fire him for cause.
Either way, it’s the same outcome— George W (@GeorgeRW1981) September 10, 2023
My Initial Reaction:
1. Mel Tucker needs to be fired (or at least suspended) right now
2. How could anyone think it was fine to let him keep coaching?
3. The University and athletic department have failed us again
4. I have lost trust in pretty much the entire University— Daily MSU (@daily_msu) September 10, 2023
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Social media reacts to Mel Tucker suspension: 'Unfathomable'
