There’s a new head coach, but there are some off-the-field problems for Michigan State, as two football players have been suspended indefinitely from the team, one for an alleged off-field assault while the circumstances surrounding the second suspension remain murky. 

First year Spartans coach Mel Tucker will have to go without back-up linebackers Luke Fulton, 20, and Charles Willekes, 21, for the time being. Both payers are being kept from all team activities and will remain suspended indefinitely pending further developments, according to a report from the Detroit Free Press. 

Fulton was arrested Sept. 20 in East Lansing and charged with felony aggravated battery, a charge that has since been reduced to assault and battery, according to Mike Nichols, who is serving as Fulton’s attorney.

A red-shirt freshman from Youngstown, Ohio, Fulton has pled not guilty in court to the charge but is barred from leaving the state until receiving further resolution on his case. 

Willekes, who is the younger brother of former Spartans’ All-American Kenny Willekes, does not have any court records currently posted, per the Free Press. He is a walk-on redshirt freshman from Rockford, Illinois. 

Beyond acknowledging the suspensions, the Michigan State athletic department had no further statement on the matter at this time.