Mel Tucker has found himself as the subject of a sexual harassment investigation. According to Brett McMurphy of The Action Network, the Michigan State Spartans' head coach will be dismissed from his duties as a result of the accusation:
"Mel Tucker fired as Michigan State’s coach, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ. Secondary coach Harlon Barnett will be MSU’s interim coach w/former coach Mark Dantonio is expected to assist in an undefined role. MSU investigating allegations Tucker sexually harassed activist/rape survivor Brenda Tracy, USA Today reported. The school has called a 5 p.m. news conference"
Following the recent charges from Brenda Tracy, Michigan State's head coach has been suspended. Harlon Barnett, a long-time secondary coach, has been hired to assume responsibilities in Tucker's absence until the investigations are completed. Tucker has been accused of sexually harassing Brenda Tracy, a sexual assault prevention advocate and rape survivor. Tracy claims Tucker made sexual approaches without her consent, including masturbating on a phone call, according to USA Today.
Image Via: KOIN 6
Meanwhile, Tucker claims that their connection was consensual, saying that the two had phone s*x during the alleged phone call. Tracy had already visited the Spartans program in 2021 and 2022, discussing sexual assault prevention. During the latter visit, she was chosen honorary team captain of Michigan State's spring football game.
Following the allegations made against Mel Tucker by activist and registered nurse Brenda Tracy, Michigan State Spartans Athletic Director Alan Haller convened an impromptu press conference on Sunday evening after the story broke in a USA Today report.
During the press conference, Haller said that the program has chosen to suspend Mel Tucker without pay while the investigation is ongoing. Harlon Barnett will serve as interim head coach, while former Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio will return as an assistant coach.
During the press conference, a reporter questioned Allen Haller about what prompted the program to take action against Mel Tucker in the current scenario, despite the fact that the complaint was lodged last year and the inquiry had begun. The athletic director stated that temporary procedures were already in place when the complaint was filed and have been maintained over time.
"We're always evaluating." Haller said, "Interim measures were in place. And those interim measures have been updated. Initially, there was no contact with the complainant. And then also increased oversight from me, the program and then also the coach. So, it's an ongoing process, and we update those interim measures as we receive information"
Image Via: Lancing State Journal
Brenda Tracy is a mother and qualified nurse who survived a heinous gang rape in 1998. There were four men involved in the incident, two of whom were Oregon State football players. According to insiders, the other two were a junior college recruit and a high school recruit.
Tracy then filed a police report the next day, which resulted in the arrest of these four people. She did, however, face a lot of hostility and threats to her life as a result of it. She opted not to testify against these guys in court because she was afraid for her life. Her tale became public after she contacted collegiate football expert John Canzano in 2014. She has worked as an advocate to teach and educate college football players about sexual abuse ever since.
Image Via: The Spun