Michigan State officially fires head football coach Mel Tucker with cause

A week after Michigan State began the process of firing head football coach Mel Tucker with cause, AD Alan Haller has made it official. Tucker is the subject of a sexual assault investigation that made news earlier this week. The school signed him to a massive 10-year contract in 2021, with the $95 million guaranteed making him one of the highest-paid coaches in all of college football.

Per the release, Tucker was terminated due to “his admitted and undisputed behaviors which have brought public disrespect, contempt and ridicule upon the university; and constitute a material breach of his agreement, and moral turpitude.”

Harlon Barnett, who has been on the Spartan defensive staff for the last fifteen years, will continue as acting head coach for the remainder of the season. Former head coach Mark Dantonio has also rejoined the staff as associate head coach after retiring in 2019. He previously went 114-57 in 13 years at the helm in East Lansing.

MSU travels to Iowa this week, then has a week off before heading to Rutgers on 10/14. After that, the Spartans will host rival Michigan (currently ranked #2 in the country).

credit to Al Goldis/AP for the photo