New head football coach Mel Tucker speaks at his introductory press conference at the Breslin Student Events Center on Feb. 12, 2020.
Michigan State University is under investigation from the NCAA for alleged recruiting violations under Mel Tucker.
Executive Senior Associate AD/Communications Matt Larson told The State News via email, "Michigan State athletics has cooperated with the NCAA to review a potential matter concerning the football program under the former staff and will continue to do so for the duration of the process."
As the details of the investigation remain unclear, Larson added, "NCAA rules do not permit the university to provide any additional details at this time."
First reported by The Detroit News on Tuesday night, President Kevin Guskiewicz said the university is being investigated for "ongoing recruiting issues from a few years ago."
Tucker was fired on Sept. 27, 2023, after being accused of sexually harassing rape survivor and activist Brenda Tracy during a phone call. He is now facing a defamation lawsuit from Tracy, who disputes Tucker’s claim that their relationship was consensual.
The NCAA investigation comes after Tucker was found to be evading the lawsuit brought against him by Tracy who Tucker sexually harassed during his tenure at MSU. Tracy’s lawyers sent court summons to nine of Tucker’s previously known addresses, all of which were returned undeliverable.
The Detroit News reported that Guskiewicz did not detail the severity of the investigation.
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