Mel Tucker says Michigan State pulled 'about-face' in investigation, 'other motives at play' to fire him

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Despite Mel Tucker denying all claims that he sexually harassed a rape survivor and assault awareness speaker, Michigan State University (MSU) says it intends to fire him for cause.

However, the football coach says that "other motives are at play," and he is "disappointed — but not surprised" by the university's decision.

"Let's be clear. I don't believe MSU plans to fire me because I admitted to an entirely consensual, private relationship with another adult who gave one presentation at MSU, at my behest, over two years ago," Tucker wrote Tuesday in a lengthy statement.

Tucker says the university did an "about-face," knowing about the reasons it intends to fire him for cause since at least March. But the school decided that the grounds of the complaint warranted termination once the information was leaked.

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Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker speaks during the Big Ten Conference Media Days at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on July 26, 2023. (James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

"MSU is punishing me for Ms. [Brenda] Tracy’s leak, which violated MSU’s rules regarding confidentiality of the investigation," Tucker wrote.

Tucker also noted that he would be suspended as an "interim measure" and "while the investigation continues," but the school decided to terminate him "with no new information." MSU is "sanctimoniously and illogically claiming this action has no impact on the ongoing investigation," says Tucker.

Tucker stated Michigan State "ignored" his concerns that details of the investigation would be leaked, but the school hired an outside firm to investigate