'Not a stepping stone': Mel Tucker hails MSU as a destination job in first public comments about rumored extension
Mel Tucker and Michigan State appear to be in it for the long haul. According to recent reports, the coach is close to landing a lofty extension that will net him over $8 million a year.
In his second season at the helm, Tucker has transformed No. 7 Michigan State into a legitimate B1G contender.
During an appearance on Michigan State basketball alum Draymond Green’s show, Tucker expressed what made the decision to put down roots in East Lansing an easy one:
“I have B1G roots. I played at Wisconsin, I’m from Cleveland, Ohio, my parents are 3 hours and 15 minutes away, my wife’s from Chicago. I know the landscape,” Tucker said. “This is where I started my career in 1997…it was never my intention to come here and just pass through. I believe we’re building something special here.”
Tucker also said he wants Michigan State to be in the national mix every season:
“That’s my goal,” Tucker said. “I came here and I made it clear in my initial press conference that I thought Michigan State was a destination job and not a stepping stone. ”
Mel Tucker’s first public comments on his potential #MichiganState contract extension, via The Draymond Green Show (airing right now):
“I always made it clear that MSU is a destination job, not a stepping stone… It was never my intention to come here and just pass through.” pic.twitter.com/121Yx3ZsK6
— SpartanTailgate.com (@SpartanTailgate) November 18, 2021