In 2020, Mel Tucker was hired by Michigan State after a one-year tenure at Colorado. He signed a contract that was worth $95 million over 10 years, one of the richest deals in NCAA history. Also, it was GUARANTEED. He was going to get all of the money as he tried to turn Michigan State into a national power.
Two years later, it's gone, all gone.
Coach Tucker has a great resume in the coaching ranks. He was even an interim head coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011. He was building up that resume as associate head coach under Nick Saban at Alabama for one season and defensive coordinator for two seasons under Kirby Smart at Georgia. He was orchestrating the best defenses on the nation's top programs. Someone was going to give him a look as a head coach.
The University of Colorado decided in 2019 to make Tucker the head coach of their program. He was finally going to get his shot. His first season at Boulder was not great with a 5-7 record, but he was getting started. Then, Michigan State wanted him to lead their program. So, after one season, Tucker resigned and took the Spartans job. Despite that shady move, he was steering MSU in the right direction. In 2021, the Spartans went 11-2 and earned a New Year's Six bid and finished in the top 10 in the polls. Even if the 2022 season was mediocre, Tucker was ready for a comeback season in 2023.
This is where the hammer comes down. Allegations from an anti-sexual violence advocate and rape victim claimed that Tucker exhibited inappropriate behavior with her and even did some naughty stuff with her on the phone. Tucker, himself, said that the stuff on the phone was consensual. By the way, did I mention Tucker is a married man?
(Side note: If this is true, hopefully the victim can find comfort, and everyone should show her support)
Mel, Mel, Mel, Mel, Mel, what the (bleep) are you doing? The contract had clauses stating that you shouldn't be doing this. Now, Michigan State is in the process of firing him with cause and not paying him that guaranteed money. There is still an investigation going on and nothing has been set in stone, but you shouldn't be doing that to begin with.
The first red flag was him going Bobby Petrino and leaving after one season at Colorado. If he stayed, he probably wouldn't be in that situation and if he was successful, the university wouldn't have to go after Deion to lead the Buffaloes. He chased the money, but at times, money is the root of all evil. Even if he thinks that there is another motive to MSU firing him, he has a dark cloud hovering over him for him.
After only four seasons as a head coach, Mel Tucker might as well have killed his career. Right now, this is bad, real bad. Mel, Mel, Mel, Mel, Mel.
(References: Detroit Free Press, Yahoo! Sports, ESPN, Wikipedia, Sports Illustrated, CBS Sports)
Speaking of Deion........
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