ESPN: Sources: Michigan St.'s Tucker subject of sexual harassment investigation

Sometimes it’s what you know.

The coaching community is a small universe where folks talk and word gets around.

The revelation that MSU has been investigating allegations made about Tucker has most likely been suspected or known. Would go a long way to help explain why Tucker’s recruiting is in the bottom third of 14 member conference.

Wally Fairway wrote:I would like to be the first poster to welcome Coach Sanders as the next Head Coach at MSU.

Welcome to East Lansing Coach Prime

i'm in

So he gone?
Also cute the media sat on this until MSU's first real game week

NigelUno wrote:We had to know this day was coming. The shit has hit the fan.

We should have had a plan. If we didn't, it shouldn't be that hard to figure out.

He has to be suspended today or tomorrow (and an interim Coach named).

Handle it.

Agree about the suspension at a minimum. Firing him could end up costing the school $80m, as I dont think a consensual affair (if it's dropped or not proven otherwise) would constitute cause.

But after everything MSU has gone through in the press in recent years, even if they end up paying $80m, that might be worth it to make a firm statement.

MiamiSpartan wrote:

NigelUno wrote:We had to know this day was coming.  The shit has hit the fan.

We should have had a plan.  If we didn't, it shouldn't be that hard to figure out.

He has to be suspended today or tomorrow (and an interim Coach named).  

Handle it.    

Agree about the suspension at a minimum.  Firing him could end up costing the school $80m, as I dont think a consensual affair (if it's dropped or not proven otherwise) would constitute cause.  

But after everything MSU has gone through in the press in recent years, even if they end up paying $80m, that might be worth it to make a firm statement.

Neither of us is an employment lawyer let’s start there, but it’s not just a (maybe) consensual affair. It’s a (maybe) consensual affair with a university contractor while on a university expensed business trip. That’s potentially cause enough.

The Coach Prime Buffalo is thriving in Colorado.

I hope Haller appoints a member of the current staff to be the interim then avoid temptation by going off the reservation find a new experienced coach with HC experience.

Cynically, Tucker’s statement(s) and admissions of his actions get MSU off the hook for the remaining 8 years of his $95M contract.

Fire Mel Tucker

kingstonlake wrote:

Pervis Muldoon wrote:He doesn't do himself any favors with this line:

“To say that I have learned from this situation is an understatement,” Tucker wrote in a letter to the investigator on March 22. “I will never again allow myself to be duped by kindness.”

He wrote that. He gave it some thought and that's what he decided he had learned. This won't end well for Mel.

Even if he was correct, and duped.

Fire him. He is incredibly stupid and lacks appropriate judgement for someone in his position.

At this point it is all about the money in his contract.

JFC.
If he is not listed as fired by this afternoon, then fuck this school.

Trapper Gus wrote:

kingstonlake wrote:

Even if he was correct, and duped.

Fire him. He is incredibly stupid and lacks appropriate judgement for someone in his position.

At this point it is all about the money in his contract.

Here's the out from his contract for MSU: “conduct which, in the university’s reasonable judgment, would tend to bring public disrespect, contempt or ridicule on the university.” This qualifies. Buh bye, Tuck

Dendrobates wrote:

Trapper Gus wrote:

At this point it is all about the money in his contract.

Here's the out from his contract for MSU: “conduct which, in the university’s reasonable judgment, would tend to bring public disrespect, contempt or ridicule on the university.” This qualifies. Buh bye, Tuck

Not a lawyer, but if sexual harassment not found wouldn't Tucker have a lawsuit against MSU for the money.

Firing him for admitting he masturbates is sort of questionable.

Trapper Gus wrote:

Dendrobates wrote:

Here's the out from his contract for MSU:  “conduct which, in the university’s reasonable judgment, would tend to bring public disrespect, contempt or ridicule on the university.” This qualifies. Buh bye, Tuck

Not a lawyer, but if sexual harassment not found wouldn't Tucker have a lawsuit against MSU for the money.

Firing him for admitting he masturbates while on the phone with a university contractor while on a university expensed trip is sort of questionable.

FTFY

MiamiSpartan wrote:

NigelUno wrote:We had to know this day was coming. The shit has hit the fan.

We should have had a plan. If we didn't, it shouldn't be that hard to figure out.

He has to be suspended today or tomorrow (and an interim Coach named).

Handle it.

Agree about the suspension at a minimum. Firing him could end up costing the school $80m, as I dont think a consensual affair (if it's dropped or not proven otherwise) would constitute cause.

But after everything MSU has gone through in the press in recent years, even if they end up paying $80m, that might be worth it to make a firm statement.

There's no way in hell we pay him the full contract. If he's smart, he'll negotiate a buy out with an NDA clause in the next month (before the hearing)...although he's already kinda screwed because details leaked out.

Trapper Gus wrote:

Dendrobates wrote:

Here's the out from his contract for MSU: “conduct which, in the university’s reasonable judgment, would tend to bring public disrespect, contempt or ridicule on the university.” This qualifies. Buh bye, Tuck

Not a lawyer, but if sexual harassment not found wouldn't Tucker have a lawsuit against MSU for the money.

Firing him for admitting he masturbates is sort of questionable.

But if his contract really does mention that quote, then ESPECIALLY with the recent sexual assault shot at MSU, then this absolutely brings disrespect, contempt and ridicule. And the University will have pundits, reporters, and social media to point to as evidence.

Travis of the Cosmos wrote:

Trapper Gus wrote:

Not a lawyer, but if sexual harassment not found wouldn't Tucker have a lawsuit against MSU for the money.

Firing him for admitting he masturbates while on the phone with a university contractor while on a university expensed trip is sort of questionable.

FTFY

Being on the trip is not relevant when it was phone sex, as a head coach he is always on the clock, the power relationship is relevant. Would have to think there is a policy about this.

Still is no harassment found MSU will probably have to pay him off or face years of headlines about his lawsuit.

Dendrobates wrote:JFC.
If he is not listed as fired by this afternoon, then fuck this school.

AD Haller can (and should) suspend Tucker by this evening, no later than tomorrow.  

There will be lawyers involved along with the BOT and interim President signing off to terminate the remainder of Tucker’s contract. That will take more time.

Then the fun starts hiring a new coach that meets with the BOT’s approval and possibly before the BOT approves a new MSU president.

Trapper Gus wrote:

Travis of the Cosmos wrote:
FTFY

Being on the trip is not relevant when it was phone sex, as a head coach he is always on the clock, the power relationship is relevant.  Would have to think there is a policy about this.  

Still is no harassment found MSU will probably have to pay him off or face years of headlines about his lawsuit.

I assure you that it is relevant vs if he were in his home.

You won’t listen. It’s fine.

Travis of the Cosmos wrote:

Trapper Gus wrote:

Being on the trip is not relevant when it was phone sex, as a head coach he is always on the clock, the power relationship is relevant.  Would have to think there is a policy about this.  

Still is no harassment found MSU will probably have to pay him off or face years of headlines about his lawsuit.

I assure you that it is relevant vs if he were in his home.

You won’t listen. It’s fine.

Okay, if you say so.

GRR Spartan wrote:

Dendrobates wrote:JFC.
If he is not listed as fired by this afternoon, then fuck this school.

AD Haller can (and should) suspend Tucker by this evening, no later than tomorrow.  

There will be lawyers involved along with the BOT and interim President signing off to terminate the remainder of Tucker’s contract. That will take more time.

Then the fun starts hiring a new coach that meets with the BOT’s approval and possibly before the BOT approves a new MSU president.

Don't know what MSU was thinking. He should have been suspended upon the filing of the claim.

Can’t we just have a coach who climbs tree and eats his boogers?

I realize that I'm just a random idiot who lives in East Lansing, but you won't catch me wearing any MSU gear or spending time on campus tailgating next week unless he's suspended.

It seems like we're all on the same page here in that this situation is indefensible. I do take a bit of pride in knowing that all of us - folks who are deeply connected to MSU and MSU athletics - look at this situation the same.

If we feel this way, it's my hope that the overall tone of the MSU community is even more amplified.

Suspend him. Today.

kingstonlake wrote:Can’t we just have a coach who climbs tree and eats his boogers?

I'd settle for one that runs with the bulls, climbs mountains and slaps himself ( but not like that)

Fire Mel Tucker

Robert J Sakimano wrote:I realize that I'm just a random idiot who lives in East Lansing, but you won't catch me wearing any MSU gear or spending time on campus tailgating next week unless he's suspended.

It seems like we're all on the same page here in that this situation is indefensible. I do take a bit of pride in knowing that all of us - folks who are deeply connected to MSU and MSU athletics - look at this situation the same.

If we feel this way, it's my hope that the overall tone of the MSU community is even more amplified.

Suspend him. Today.

Just went to rent a sander at Home Depot. Took off my Michigan State t shirt first.

It’s 12:01 P.M. 9/10/23. Why is Mel Tucker our coach still?

Why wasn’t he suspended when this complaint was filed?

How can any man with a modicum of common sense look at a rape survivor who speaks out against sexual harassment and say to himself, “I’d like to try to get with that, even though I’m married and she’s gone through sexual hell already”?

Why would anyone at MSU try to bury this, hide this, or not take action on this immediately after the torture out students staff a d Alumni have already been through?

Our last two coaches leave msu with a winning record against Michigan.

DWags wrote:It’s 12:01 P.M. 9/10/23. Why is Mel Tucker our coach still?

Why wasn’t he suspended when this complaint was filed?

How can any man with a modicum of common sense look at a rape survivor who speaks out against sexual harassment and say to himself, “I’d like to try to get with that, even though I’m married and she’s gone through sexual hell already”?

Why would anyone at MSU try to bury this, hide this, or not take action on this immediately after the torture out students staff a d Alumni have already been through?

Our last two coaches leave msu with a winning record against Michigan.

It's MSU man, the administration does mind boggling things on almost a daily basis

DWags wrote:It’s 12:01 P.M. 9/10/23. Why is Mel Tucker our coach still?

Why wasn’t he suspended when this complaint was filed?

How can any man with a modicum of common sense look at a rape survivor who speaks out against sexual harassment and say to himself, “I’d like to try to get with that, even though I’m married and she’s gone through sexual hell already”?

Why would anyone at MSU try to bury this, hide this, or not take action on this immediately after the torture out students staff a d Alumni have already been through?

Our last two coaches leave msu with a winning record against Michigan.

There is no excuse for not suspending him when claim made, only shitty thing I can think is that MSU management thinks this is a fake claim.

Trapper Gus wrote:

DWags wrote:It’s 12:01 P.M. 9/10/23. Why is Mel Tucker our coach still?

Why wasn’t he suspended when this complaint was filed?

How can any man with a modicum of common sense look at a rape survivor who speaks out against sexual harassment and say to himself, “I’d like to try to get with that, even though I’m married and she’s gone through sexual hell already”?

Why would anyone at MSU try to bury this, hide this, or not take action on this immediately after the torture out students staff a d Alumni have already been through?

Our last two coaches leave msu with a winning record against Michigan.

There is no excuse for not suspending him when claim made, only shitty thing I can think is that MSU management thinks this is a fake claim.

Didn’t he admit an inappropriate relationship in writing last winter?

Not defending him in anyway... you deal with a "survivor" differently then anyone else, especially in her circumstance.
But the more I think of it, legally, when she could have hung up at any point, how does this equate to "assault"?

"I gotta stay on until he finishes, it's only polite" defense?

Trapper Gus wrote:

DWags wrote:It’s 12:01 P.M. 9/10/23. Why is Mel Tucker our coach still?

Why wasn’t he suspended when this complaint was filed?

How can any man with a modicum of common sense look at a rape survivor who speaks out against sexual harassment and say to himself, “I’d like to try to get with that, even though I’m married and she’s gone through sexual hell already”?

Why would anyone at MSU try to bury this, hide this, or not take action on this immediately after the torture out students staff a d Alumni have already been through?

Our last two coaches leave msu with a winning record against Michigan.

There is no excuse for not suspending him when claim made, only shitty thing I can think is that MSU management thinks this is a fake claim.

Well, maybe exaggerated? ...
"I'm sorry you feel that way Coach you are making me uncomfortable I'm hanging up now"

That said, she's a rape survivor activist... dumb dumb dumb on his part.

AvgMSUJoe wrote:Not defending him in anyway... you deal with a "survivor" differently then anyone else, especially in her circumstance.
But the more I think of it, legally, when she could have hung up at any point, how does this equate to "assault"?

"I gotta stay on until he finishes, it's only polite" defense?

That’s where the specific details don’t matter, for me and my personal opinion at least. Not speaking to contracts and what not. She wouldn’t hang up like anyone else would because of who she is and what she does. This will lead to more 10k a pop speaking engagements. 

But, what kind of stone cold fucking moron do you have to be to get mixed up with this person? Like you have to be a complete imbecile to act as he did in his own story, nevermind hers. 

So yeah, I want him gone. If for no other reason (and there are other reasons obviously) that he’s clearly too stupid for this job.

Even a dumb ass deserves due process. Otherwise every idiot with a grudge or looking to make a quick buck would be making claims against a $90 million man.

I'm all for the investigation playing out, due process, but this isn't a criminal investigation. It's about judgement, leadership, decency, who we want molding young men, and the example cast to our MSU community. Suspension should be immediate. The longer this goes with no word from Haller, the more I also begin to cast doubt on Haller's judgement.

Heat Miser wrote:Even a dumb ass deserves due process. Otherwise every idiot with a grudge or looking to make a quick buck would be making claims against a $90 million man.

Yeah I mean he has that though. I’m not basing my wanting him gone on anything other than his own statements in the piece. If those are accurate, regardless of how much worse it might be based on what she says, then yeah get outta here.

Travis of the Cosmos wrote:

AvgMSUJoe wrote:Not defending him in anyway... you deal with a "survivor" differently then anyone else, especially in her circumstance.
But the more I think of it, legally, when she could have hung up at any point, how does this equate to "assault"?

"I gotta stay on until he finishes, it's only polite" defense?

That’s where the specific details don’t matter, for me and my personal opinion at least. Not speaking to contracts and what not. She wouldn’t hang up like anyone else would because of who she is and what she does. This will lead to more 10k a pop speaking engagements. 

But, what kind of stone cold fucking moron do you have to be to get mixed up with this person? Like you have to be a complete imbecile to act as he did in his own story, nevermind hers. 

So yeah, I want him gone. If for no other reason (and there are other reasons obviously) that he’s clearly too stupid for this job.

Pretty much covers it. I’d like to add I’m not interested in any talk or morality, leadership, mentoring, developing men, etc out of him

His credibility is shot. You gonna listen to his BS at your dinner table when he wants your kid to play for him?

It’s all timing and at 57-58 Pat Narduzzi may be considered too old. Criteria for a head coach is much different than it was when MSU hired Dantonio.

ps
The Obama daughter who attended umaa quietly transferred to USC where she graduated May 2023.

Holy shit people, for every reason stated and for many more he needs to be gone. I have to believe the lawyers are crossing the t's and dotting the "i"s. Haller has to be meeting with staff and players right now and naming an interim. Mel has to be packing up, and all the future recruits handlers, and current players handlers have to be on the phone to Dion Sanders and other coaches as we speak. The next guy needs a big check book and a ton of support. Neither of which I have to give right now.