EAST LANSING, Mich. — An appeal by former Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker over findings in a sexual misconduct case that led to his firing has been dismissed.
An attorney hired by the East Lansing school as an equity review officer said in a decision dated Wednesday that Tucker did not provide information showing error or bias.
Tucker told investigators he had consensual phone sex with activist and rape survivor Brenda Tracy. Tracy is known for her work with college teams educating athletes about sexual violence, and Michigan State had paid her $10,000 to share her story with the football team.
She filed a complaint with the school in 2022, saying Tucker sexually harassed her during a phone call in April. Several months later, she filed a complaint with the school's Title IX education and civil rights office.
Tracy's accusations were made public by USA Today on September 10.
Tucker was suspended in September and fired by Michigan State that same month. The school said it fired Tucker after he ridiculed the institution and breached his contract, citing moral turpitude.
A resolution officer concluded in October that Tucker engaged in behavior that violated the school's relationship violence and sexual misconduct and Title IX policy by sexually harassing and exploiting Tracy.
In a post Thursday on X, Tracy thanked those who believed and supported her.
“It's been a 13 month nightmare,” Tracy wrote. “Tucker was found responsible for sexual harassment and exploitation and today his appeal was denied.”
Messages seeking comment were left Thursday with Tucker's attorney, Jennifer Belveal, and agent, Neil Cornrich.
Tucker was in the third year of a 10-year, $95 million contract. He was due to earn about $80 million remaining in the deal.
He began his coaching career under Nick Saban as a graduate assistant for the Spartans in 1997. He returned to the school with one of the biggest contracts in college sports after leading Colorado for one season and serving as an assistant coach at Georgia, Alabama and Ohio. State.
