Was Mel Tucker fired or suspended? Analyzing the aftermath of Brenda Tracy's sexual harassment allegations

Mel Tucker was suspended on Sunday by the Michigan State Spartans on Sunday after allegedly sexually harassing anti-rape activist Brenda Tracy.

According to reports, the Spartans coach made sexual comments and masturbated in a phone call with Tracy in April 2022. After Tracy filed a complaint, Tucker admitted that the call took place but added that the two were having consensual phone sex.

It was also reported that Tucker had tried to romantically pursue Tracy since she was hired by the school. Michigan State leaders were reportedly made aware of the complaint in December, but the exact details were not known before it was published on Sunday.

Following that, Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller announced that Tucker would be suspended without pay while the school conducts an investigation into the alleged sexual harassment:

"The university's objective has been and remains focused on conducting a fair, thorough and unbiased investigation and allowing the processes to play out."

Following the Spartans being made aware of the incident, Michigan State hired a third-party investigator who recommended that the school hold a hearing to decide if Tucker violated any policy.

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How long will Mel Tucker be suspended?

At the moment, Mel Tucker is suspended indefinitely, and there's no timeline on when the suspension will be lifted or if he will be fired. Michigan State will do a full investigation before making any decision, so it will likely take a while for that.

With Tucker being suspended indefinitely, longtime Spartans assistant coach Harlon Barnett will serve as the interim head coach. Moreover, former Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio, who retired in 2020, will return as an associate head coach.

As the Spartans head coach, Mel Tucker registered a 20-14 record in three full seasons and the first two games this year, but he went 12-13 against the Big Ten.