How much is Mel Tucker's contract buyout? Michigan State HC's salary details, clause explored in wake of Brenda Tracy's allegations

Mel Tucker's career came full circle when he returned to Michigan State in 2020, having previously coached the Spartans in 1997 when he was a graduate assistant.

Tucker is currently engulfed in a scandal involving anti-rape activist Brenda Tracy. Tracy worked for the Spartans, teaching young student-athletes about the importance of rejecting sexual violence as a means of obtaining what they want.

According to USA Today, the activist filed a report with the university complaining that the coach made sexual comments and masturbated during a call with her back in 2022. Tucker allegedly admitted to masturbating, but claimed it was a consensual sex phone call.

Tucker is one of the highest-earning coaches in college football, with a base salary of $5,900,000. His contract runs from 2021 to 2032.

He also makes $3,100,000 from yearly media appearances, $100,000 from the school's Nike deal, and $400,000 from a retention bonus, amounting to around $9.5 million.

These figures put Mel Tucker just behind Alabama's Nick Saban and above Texas A&M's Jimbo Fisher as the second-highest-earning head coach in college football.

If Michigan State chooses to fire Tucker, it would need to pay him his entire non-performance-related salary. That's $9.5 million per year until 2032. Tucker, however, would need to make a reasonable effort to find a new job, and any new salary would be deducted from what the university owes him.

If Mel Tucker does find a new job, he would need to pay Michigan State the following amounts depending on when he does leave the school:

• $1,500,000 if he terminates between Jan. 16, 2023 and Jan. 15, 2024
• $1,000,000 if he terminates after Jan. 15, 2024