EAST LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan State University has suspended head football coach Mel Tucker without pay after allegations surfaced that he sexually harassed a rape survivor over the phone.
In a press conference on Sunday afternoon, MSU Athletic Director Alan Haller said he became aware of the allegations by the victim in December 2022 and an investigation by the school’s civil rights office got underway. It submitted a report on July 25, with the recommendation of an October 5 hearing regarding those allegations.
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“This is an active and ongoing investigation,” Haller told reporters. “MSU is focused on conducting a fair and unbiased investigation.”
The Title IX investigation stems from Brenda Tracy, who was identified by a report in USA Today. She said Tucker invited her to speak to student athletes about her experience being raped by three Oregon State University players and a high school recruit 25 years ago.
Tracy and her non-profit organization, Set the Expectation, had been invited to campus three times to speak to the MSU football team. Tracy said she and Tucker developed a friendship and alleges that during an April 28, 2022 phone call, Tucker had phone sex with her. In his statement to the Title IX investigator, Tucker acknowledged masturbating on the call but said Tracy grossly mischaracterized the episode. According to Tucker, they had consensual “phone sex.”
Interim President Teresa Woodruff attempted to distinguish between “The MSU of old” and “The MSU of today” during the press conference.
“In the MSU of today when any report comes to the university, it is vigorously reviewed,” Woodruff said. “In the MSU of today, the processes are fair and thorough; in the MSU of today, we continually review to ensure appropriate actions taken.”
Woodruff’s comments come in the shadow of MSU’s fall from grace after the sexual assault conviction of former sports doctor Larry Nassar. He will spend the rest of his life in prison for sexually assaulting hundreds of girls and women under the guise of treatment. The university and its leaders have faced legal fallout over what they knew and when regarding those allegations.
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In the interim, Haller said MSU’s football team will be lead by current assistant coach Harlon Barnett and former head coach Mark Dantonio.
