Mel Tucker won’t be at the scheduled hearing with Michigan State slated for Thursday because of a “serious medical condition”, per his attorney via ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg.

Tucker was fired as Michigan State’s head football coach after allegations of sexual harassment from Brenda Tracy. A new letter has since been delivered to university trustees and the university president that’s there’s “new evidence” that goes against Tracy’s allegations against Tucker.

Tucker was initially suspended without pay but was then fired with roughly $80 million left on his 10-year, $95 million deal.

USA Today’s Kenny Jacoby reports the testimony from 4 low-level assistants is expected to play “outsized roles” in determining Tucker’s culpability during the hearing. 2 of those assistants include current members of the Spartan program and another is a former assistant for Tucker.

Tucker took over at Michigan State in 2020 after spending 1 season as Colorado’s head coach. Tucker guided the Spartans to an 11-2 record and Peach Bowl victory in 2021, en route to earning Big Ten Coach of the Year.

Michigan State is currently playing under interim head coach Harlon Barnett. The Spartans are 2-3 on the season with a 3-game losing streak as Barnett is still seeking his first victory as a head coach heading into Week 6 at Rutgers.