In Tucker’s second year in charge, the Spartans finished third in the Big Ten East with a 10-2 record. A year after finishing 2-5 in the shortened 2020 season, the Spartans experienced a turnaround under Tucker. He elevated the talent on the roster through the transfer portal, bringing in players like junior running back Kenneth Walker III to pair with MSU's returning talent.

Last week, Tucker signed a 10-year, $95 million contract extension with Michigan State that will keep him under contract in East Lansing until 2032. The deal makes Tucker the highest-paid Black coach in American sports.