Mel Tucker timeline: ascent and decline as Michigan State coach
Mel Tucker’s journey to become a full-time head coach was arduous and convoluted. But Michigan State’s head coach is presently out of pay suspension, as verified by Spartan AD Alan Haller on Sunday night.
After playing at Wisconsin, Tucker started his coaching career in 1997 as a graduate assistant at Michigan State. It would take him till 2011 to have a chance at head coaching when he was playing in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars. But, Tucker’s tenure was only temporary because the Jaguars finished 2-3 while he was in charge of the squad.
Only slightly more than 20 years into his coaching career, Tucker did not land his first full-time head coaching position until 2019. Tucker quickly made a reputation for himself after taking over as head coach.
Tucker’s first season with the programme saw Colorado go 5-7, and at first it seemed he would be committed to the Buffs despite Michigan State’s interest in him in the 2020 offseason. Then, reportedly, Tucker agreed to take the East Lansing position when the Spartans returned with a larger offer.
Despite having a 2-5 record in his first season at Michigan State, Tucker’s 2020 COVID campaign included surprising victories over Michigan and Northwestern. Gaining early victories was advantageous given the late employment of Tucker and the COVID disruptions.
Then the Spartans went berserk in 2021. With a powerful offence led by Heisman candidate Kenneth Walker III, the Spartans pulled off a stunning comeback victory over Michigan en route to 11 wins and a Peach Bowl berth.
Tucker took advantage of a particularly erratic coaching staff in 2021 by building on that performance. Even though Tucker had only one winning season under his belt, Michigan State gave him a 10-year, $95 million contract because his name was supposedly being considered for openings across the nation.
Prior to Sunday, Tucker’s stock had dropped significantly after making that transaction. The Spartans had a 5-7 record in 2022, missed a bowl game, had to cope with an altercation in the tunnel at Michigan Stadium, and had two of its best players, Payton Thorne and Keon Coleman, choose to transfer.
Tucker has seen a lot in the last five years: from a 5-7 season at Colorado to 11 wins and a huge contract extension with the Spartans, he has experienced it all. He has also been questioned about his off-field behaviour and is currently facing an unpaid suspension. Furthermore, Tucker’s position as head coach is probably in jeopardy.
To be clear, even though the programme confirmed Tucker’s pay suspension on Sunday night, he is not fired. But it’s challenging to
