The MSU football program has been under pressure since February, when three MSU student-athletes and one MSU football staff member were suspended pending a sexual assault investigation.

In April, MSU football player Auston Robertson was charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct by the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office for allegedly raping an acquaintance.

In May, the Title IX investigation surrounding the three student-athletes and staff member concluded, and Lansing attorney Karen Truskowski, who represents the alleged victim in the criminal investigation, confirmed the three MSU football players have violated university policy in the Title IX investigation.

“The Title IX investigation is completely separate from the criminal investigation,” Truszkowski said. “There’s a completely different standard of proof. A violation of university policy does not necessarily mean that they’ve done something criminal.”

MSU football assistant coach Curtis Blackwell will not return to the program, as his contract with the university expired May 31. Blackwell was suspended with pay since February.

News broke Wednesday that former MSU football player Keith Mumphery was expelled in 2016 for violations of MSU's relationship violence and sexual misconduct policy. Reports that Mumphery and former MSU football player Max Bullough are being waived by the Houston Texans surfaced Friday, but have yet to be confirmed by the organization.