Former Michigan State University head football coach Mel Tucker has filed a federal lawsuit against the university and school leaders. Tucker alleges that he was wrongfully terminated last year and that his constitutional rights were violated following accusations of sexual harassment. The lawsuit, filed in Michigan, claims that school officials conducted an improper investigation into allegations that Tucker sexually harassed activist Brenda Tracy, a rape survivor.
In the lawsuit seeking unspecified damages, Tucker accuses Michigan State officials of violating his due process rights, equal protection, and his employment agreement with the school. The complaint also alleges that interim president Teresa Woodruff and athletic director Alan Haller made false and defamatory statements against Tucker, damaging his reputation and livelihood. Tucker claims that the university manipulated the termination process to create a false basis for firing him.
Tucker, who was in the third year of a $95 million, 10-year contract at the time of his firing, was set to earn around $80 million remaining on the deal. The lawsuit names the university, Woodruff, Haller, the school’s trustees, and general counsel Brian Quinn as defendants. The university stated it does not have a comment at the time and has yet to be formally served with the suit.
In a twist to the story, Tracy, known for her advocacy in educating college athletes about sexual violence, was previously friends with Tucker. The lawsuit mentions that in April 2022, Tucker allegedly masturbated during a phone call with Tracy. She filed a complaint with the school in December 2022, accusing Tucker of sexual harassment during the call. Tracy’s allegations became public in a USA Today article in September 2023, alongside references to the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal.
The suit contends that school officials did not provide Tucker a fair investigative process and only became concerned about negative media attention on the university’s handling of sexual abuse allegations. Tucker was suspended in September and later fired by Michigan State for breaching his contract and moral turpitude. An investigation found Tucker violated the school’s Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Policy by sexually harassing Tracy. Despite Tucker’s appeal being denied by the school in January, he continues to maintain his innocence and challenge the findings.