Michigan State University suspended its head football coach, Mel Tucker, amid an ongoing investigation, school officials said Sunday.
Officials said a third-party inquiry concluded in July, but a hearing scheduled for October and other matters “still need to be played out,” school athletics director Alan Haller said during a news conference.
The announcement came after USA Today reported that a rape survivor and activist with whom the coach had a business relationship alleged that the coach had sexually harassed her.
In a formal response said to be included in documents obtained by the publication, the coach denied that he had engaged in any misconduct.
According to the Lansing State Journal the coach, who started at the institution in 2020, signed a 10-year, $95 million contract extension, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in sports.
His record as a head coach is 23-21 (.523). That includes three seasons at Michigan State and one at Colorado.
Tucker’s suspension without pay was described by Haller on Sunday as a “conditional, interim measure.”
Interim Michigan State University President Teresa K. Woodruff said at Sunday’s news conference, “The Michigan State University of today is creating a culture that is welcoming, supportive and caring.”
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