Former Michigan State University head football coach Mel Tucker is trying to keep his divorce proceedings as private as possible while continuing to pursue a wrongful termination lawsuit against his former employer.
USA Today reports that Tucker has filed a request with the judge overseeing the proceedings to prevent media scrutiny of the ongoing divorce. Tucker’s attorney filed a motion for a confidentiality order, asking the judge to seal the records in the case.
According to court documents, Tucker asked Ingham County Circuit Court to revoke a mutual restraining order granted last month. Under the terms of the order, Tucker cannot use money from the joint account to cover personal legal fees. But from Mr. Tucker’s perspective, he needs access to funds to continue paying his fees to have a chance of winning ongoing cases.
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Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker before a game against the Richmond Spiders at Spartan Stadium on September 9, 2023 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
Mr. Tucker was suspended in September after sexual harassment allegations against him were made public in a USA Today investigation. Activist and rape survivor Brenda Tracy said Tucker sexually harassed her while on the phone in April 2022. A few months later, Tracy filed a complaint with the school’s Title IX office.
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Tracy is known for working with college teams to educate athletes about sexual assault. Michigan State University paid her $10,000 to tell her story to the football team.
Tucker admitted to having phone sex, but said it was consensual. He signed a 10-year contract worth $95 million in November 2021. The school fired Tucker for cause two weeks after his suspension, saying that his actions exposed him to the school’s ridicule and violated his contract. This separation effectively canceled what remained of Tucker’s contract.
Michigan State University Spartans head coach Mel Tucker reacts after a play in the fourth quarter of a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas on September 1, 2023 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. (Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
Mel’s wife of 25 years, Jo Erin Tucker, filed for divorce in April. Weeks after filing her divorce case, Joe Ellin was granted a restraining order, claiming the former college football coach took about $1.5 million from the couple’s joint fund to pay for the lawsuit. Joe Erin also stated that Mel moved her funds from her retirement account to an account she did not have access to.
Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker speaks during Big Ten Football Media Day at Lucas Oil Stadium on July 26, 2023 in Indianapolis. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Mr. Tucker disputed his wife’s claims, saying she knew they planned to consolidate their retirement accounts. He also claimed that both he and Joe Erin would receive significant financial benefits if they won the lawsuit against MSU.
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Tracy and her nonprofit organization, Set the Expectation, filed a statement of intent to sue Tucker and MSU in March. She accuses Tucker of damaging her reputation, hurting her ability to earn money in the future, and causing psychological and emotional harm. Tracy is seeking damages in excess of $75 million.
Tucker began his coaching career in 1997 as a graduate assistant with the Spartans under Nick Saban. He led Colorado for one season and served as an assistant coach at Georgia, Alabama and Ohio before returning to the school with one of the biggest contracts in college sports. state.
Tucker also worked in the NFL, leading the Jacksonville Jaguars as interim coach during the 2011 season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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