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Contract details emerge for Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker
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If you’re wondering why Mel Tucker may have had a change of heart to become the head coach at Michigan State so late in the game, the contract details might answer some of those questions.
According to Larry Lage of the Associated Press, Tucker and Michigan State have agreed to a six-year deal worth $5.5 million per year. At Colorado, Tucker had just completed the first season of a five-year contract worth $14.75 million.
Michigan State is paying Mel Tucker $5.5 million per season as part of his six-year contract. Tucker was one season into a five-year, $14.75 million contract at Colorado.
— Larry Lage (@LarryLage) February 13, 2020
To put it plainly, Michigan State doubled Tucker’s contract at Colorado. That makes it pretty difficult to turn down.
Last week, Tucker initially turned down interest in the job, saying he was committed to staying at Colorado. With Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi and Cincinnati’s Luke Fickell declining to take the job in East Lansing, MSU’s search circled back to Tucker, and he eventually said yes.
Per USA Today, Tucker is also expected to receive a generous salary pool for assistant coaches — somewhere in the neighborhood of $6 million.
Tucker comes to Michigan State after spending one season at Colorado, leading the Buffaloes to a 5-7 record. Michigan State finished the 2019 campaign with a 7-6 mark, which included a win over Wake Forest in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB