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Mel Tucker fallout: Michigan State reportedly names interim coach, brings back former coach
By Keith Farner
Published:
Mel Tucker is reportedly out at Michigan State, and the Spartans have quickly turned to replacements in an interim capacity, and they’re expected to bring back former coach Mark Dantonio.
Harlon Bennett will be MSU’s interim coach, while Dantonio is expected to assist in an undefined role, according to Brett McMurphy of Action Network.
Bennett, a former Spartan All-American, is in his 15th season overall on the Spartan defensive staff in 2023, his fourth Tucker. Barnett coaches the secondary for the Spartans.
Barnett came back to the Spartans in 2020 after he spent 2018-19 as the defensive coordinator at Florida State. He previously spent 11 seasons (2007-17) as the secondary coach at Michigan State, including 3 seasons as the co-defensive coordinator (2015-17) and one as the associate head coach (2017), before departing for FSU. He coached the cornerbacks in 2020 before returning to coach the entire secondary room in 2021.
In February 2020, Dantonio retired and ended a 13-year run in which his teams won 3 B1G titles and he became the school’s winningest coach. Dantonio, who was 63 at the time, called his decision a difficult one but also admitted to the nonstop demands of the job.
Tucker was dismissed as he faces allegations of sexual misconduct. Details of his alleged inappropriate conduct toward Brenda Tracy, a rape survivor and sexual assault prevention educator, emerged in a USA TODAY report Sunday.
Keith Farner has written about college football for newspapers and web sites since 2005.