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Mel Tucker images removed from Michigan State facilities, media
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Mel Tucker references are quietly being scrubbed by Michigan State.
Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press noted that photos featuring Tucker with the Spartans have been taken down inside Spartan Stadium. MSU’s media notes also do not feature Tucker’s image with the coaching staff and contain only 2 references to the suspended coach, per Solari.
The difference from Sunday to Tuesday inside the hallway outside the Spartan Stadium media room. pic.twitter.com/V6FtEDzodX
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 12, 2023
Coaching staff pics in this week’s MSU football notes for Washington game. As @mwenzel2 pointed out, only two references to Mel Tucker in the 56 pages of notes. He’s no longer in the pics. pic.twitter.com/dDyRmrsh9s
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 13, 2023
Brett McMurphy reported Sunday that Michigan State fired Tucker amid allegations of sexual harassment made by Brenda Tracy, a rape survivor and sexual assault prevention educator. It was later clarified that Tucker has been suspended with pay pending the outcome of a Title IX investigation. His ultimate fate will be decided after an October hearing to determine whether he violated university policy.
Tucker released a statement on Monday, calling the allegations completely false and saying the hearing will not allow for the truth to come out. He also challenges the validity of a Title IX investigation, saying his contact with Tracy goes outside the scope of Title IX and university policy.
Tracy responded to Tucker’s statement, calling it deflection, victim blaming and lies. In a Tuesday statement, Tracy said her identity was leaked to local media, turning a private matter into a public scandal.
Michigan State hired Tucker as its head coach ahead of the 2020 season. It was his second head coaching job after 1 season at Colorado. Tucker had previously worked at MSU under Nick Saban as a graduate assistant in 1997-98. Saban reportedly played a crucial role in getting Tucker the MSU head coaching job.
Michigan State is 2-0 in 2023, giving Tucker a 20-14 record in his tenure after the Spartans’ 5-7 showing in 2022. He is 25-21 overall as a head coach.
The removal of images and references to Tucker furthers speculation that he will be fired with cause after next month’s hearing.
A former Florida beat reporter, Andrew writes for the Saturday Tradition News Desk.