Mel Tucker was once a rising star in college football. In 2021, after leading Michigan State to an 11-2 record, the university signed him to a massive 10-year, $95 million contract, instantly making him one of the highest-paid coaches in college athletics.
In September 2023, after he was accused of sexual misconduct by a sexual assault awareness speaker, the university fired Tucker and terminated his lucrative contract.
Nearly a year later, Tucker is looking to get retribution from the University that ended his career as a high-end college football coach.
On Wednesday, he filed a lawsuit against Michigan State, claiming that officials wrongfully terminated, defamed, and discriminated against him because of his race, according to USA Today.
He also claims that university officials made false statements about him during the press conference that announced his initial suspension.
The suit reads, “By improperly weaponizing the University’s investigative procedures against Plaintiff the Defendants have caused, and continue to cause, Plaintiff to experience severe emotional harm and suffering, and have caused hundreds of millions in damages.”
While Tucker is seeking compensation in the lawsuit, it does not specify how much.
More from USA Today:
MSU spokesperson Emily Guerrant declined to comment. Tucker’s attorney, Rita Glavin, said in a statement that the damage inflicted by the school on her client was “simply devastating.”
“MSU’s conduct was not only shameful, it was illegal,” the statement said. “Mel looks forward to vindication.”
Interim President Teresa Woodruff, Athletic Director Alan Haller, General Counsel Brian Quinn and all eight members of MSU’s Board of Trustees are named as defendants.
The woman who originally accused Tucker of sexual misconduct was Brenda Tracy, a rape survivor who has made a career out of educating young athletes about sexual violence. Tracy was brought to campus by Tucker multiple times to speak to his players about sexual violence against women and to ensure that none of his players committed a crime as heinous as rape or sexual assault.
In December 2022, she accused Tucker of sexually harassing her on several occasions during their business relationship. She also alleged that he masturbated during an April 2022 phone call without her consent.
Although Tucker admitted to masturbating on the call, he says that the act was a part of consensual “phone sex” between him and Tracy, according to USA Today.