Suspended Michigan State Football Coach Denies Sexual Harassment Allegations
Suspended Michigan State football coach, Mel Tucker, has vehemently denied allegations of sexual harassment against him, stating that they are completely false. In a two-page statement released by a Detroit law firm, Tucker criticized activist Brenda Tracy for suggesting that their relationship was anything but consensual. He further claimed that the intimate phone call he had with Tracy is outside the scope of both Title IX and school policy.
Tracy’s allegations became public in a USA Today report, prompting Michigan State athletic director, Alan Haller, to suspend Tucker without pay. The university engaged a Title IX attorney to investigate Tracy’s complaint, and the investigation concluded on July 25. A hearing is scheduled for the week of October 5 to determine whether Tucker violated the school’s sexual harassment and exploitation policy.
In his statement, Tucker expressed his belief that there is an ulterior motive behind the allegations, suggesting a desire to avoid any association with the school’s previous failures in responding to sexual assault complaints against Larry Nassar. Tucker, who is Black, also raised concerns that race or gender might be factors prompting the investigation into his behavior.
Tucker, currently in the third year of a $95 million, 10-year contract, could face termination for cause, which would exempt the university from paying the remaining sum. According to his contract, the university can fire Tucker if he engages in conduct that brings public disrespect, contempt, or ridicule upon the institution.
Tracy, an activist and rape survivor known for her work in educating athletes about sexual violence, had previously spoken to Michigan State’s football team multiple times. She accused Tucker of masturbating during a phone call between them. Tucker acknowledged to investigators that he engaged in masturbation during the call, but claimed it was consensual phone sex. He shared that they had developed a mutual friendship that had grown into an intimate, adult relationship, noting that he and his wife had been estranged at the time.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, herself a survivor of sexual assault, expressed shock and disappointment at the allegations. She called for transparency from the university, seeking answers regarding when they became aware of the allegations and the subsequent decisions that were made.
Tracy, on social media, responded to Tucker’s statement, accusing him of delaying and attempting to halt the investigative process. She argued that his statement was a tactic to avoid participating in the upcoming hearing that will determine the credibility of the parties involved.
As the case unfolds, it is essential to consider the perspectives of both Tucker and Tracy. The upcoming hearing will play a crucial role in determining the validity of the sexual harassment allegations against the suspended coach, providing much-needed clarity on a troubling situation that has gripped Michigan State University.
