EAST LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) — Michigan State head football coach Mel Tucker responded Monday to the sexual harassment allegations against him — calling them “false” — one day after he was suspended without pay.
The university said Sunday that Tucker is being investigated for allegations of sexual harassment after a report was published by USA Today.
USA Today reported that the accuser is Brenda Tracy, who is a rape survivor who works to educate athletes about sexual assault and harassment. An incident reportedly happened in April of 2022. Tracy alleges Tucker made sexual comments about her and then masturbated on the phone without her consent.
“The idea that someone could know me and say they understand my trauma but then re-inflict that trauma on me is so disgusting to me, it’s hard for me to even wrap my mind around it,” Tracy said to USA Today. “It’s like he sought me out just to betray me.”
Tucker claims it was consensual, calling it an "entirely mutual, private event."
The full statement from Tucker released Monday afternoon is below:
Mel Tucker's full response by WXYZ-TV Detroit
MSU's athletic director Alan Haller said upon receiving the reports from Tracy on the incident, MSU's Office of Civil Rights immediately reviewed them and commenced a subsequent investigation, per university protocol, using an outside third-party investigator. He also confirmed he was aware of the report in late December.
According to the university, a hearing is scheduled for Oct. 5 through Oct. 6.
“The university’s formal conclusion of the investigation will occur once the hearing and final decision processes are complete,” Haller said on Sunday.
An MSU spokesperson confirmed to 7 Action News that MSU leadership did not know the contents of the complaint until USA Today's reporting.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released a statement Monday evening:
“As a survivor, I’m shocked. As a Spartan, I’m disappointed. As Governor, I want answers.
“I know the pain that so many feel when allegations like this come to light because I live it too. It’s retraumatizing. MSU holds a special place in so many of our hearts—which is what makes this hurt more.
“We deserve to know when the university knew about these allegations and why they made the decisions they did. We need to ensure that one of our state’s flagship universities, one that carries so much weight around the world, is learning from the past and not recreating it.
“Spartans, survivors, and Michiganders—we deserve better."
Harlon Barnett will act as interim head coach and Mark Dantonio will act as an associate head coach, Haller said.
