Report: Mel Tucker, Michigan State Working on 10-year, $95m Contract Amid LSU Buzz
Nov 17, 2021
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 13: Head coach Mel Tucker of the Michigan State Spartans yells out to his players in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Spartan Stadium on November 13, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
Mel Tucker's success with Michigan State in 2021 has put him in a prime position to potentially get a lucrative raise.
Per Chris Solari and David Jesse of the Detroit Free Press, Michigan State is preparing a 10-year, $95 million contract extension for the 49-year-old.
This comes after ESPN's Adam Rittenberg reported last month that Tucker was considered a candidate to replace Ed Orgeron as LSU's head coach.
Tucker, who was a defensive backs coach on Nick Saban's staff at LSU in 2000, has brushed aside any questions about the Tigers rumors.
"My focus is on the upcoming game against the school down the road," Tucker told reporters on Oct. 25. "That's where my concentration and my focus is, and I really appreciate you understanding that."
Solari and Jesse noted the extension will make Tucker the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten with an average annual salary of $9.5 million.
Per Asher Low of Badgers Wire, Ohio State's Ryan Day is currently the highest-paid head coach in the conference with a $6,614,693 salary in 2021.
Tucker got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant with Michigan State in 1997 when Saban was with the program. He bounced around between college and the NFL, including a five-game stint as interim head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011.
After going 5-7 in his lone season with the Buffaloes, Tucker resigned in order to take the same job at Michigan State. He has led the Spartans to a 9-1 record this season. They are No. 7 in the College Football Playoff rankings heading into Saturday's marquee matchup with Ohio State.
CFP Chairman Backs Michigan Being Ranked over MSU Despite Spartans' Rivalry Win
Nov 10, 2021
ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 06: Michigan Wolverines running back Hassan Haskins (25) makes a cut on a good run during the Michigan Wolverines vs Indiana Hoosiers game on Saturday November 6, 2021 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The latest edition of the College Football Playoff rankings was revealed Tuesday, and there was a curious decision by the selection committee.
Despite losing to rival Michigan State earlier this season, the Michigan Wolverines were ranked No. 6 ahead of the Spartans at No. 7. CFP chairman Gary Barta defended the decision.
"At the end of the day, we thought Michigan was a better team and deserved to be ranked ahead of Michigan State," he said, per columnist Bryan Fischer.
The Spartans (8-1) were the only team ranked in the Top Five last week to lose Saturday, falling 40-29 to Purdue. Despite the expected tumble down the rankings, their impressive 37-33 comeback win over the Wolverines on Oct. 30 was expected to give them the upper hand in the eyes of the selection committee.
Barta added that there was substantial debate among the committee regarding Michigan and Michigan State, saying that decision alone took "maybe a half hour." He went on to say that the committee gave strong consideration to the Spartans' win.
"The consensus is that Michigan is a more complete team… That said, the committee gave great credence to the Michigan State win," Barta said.
Michigan (8-1) bounced back from its first loss of the season with a 29-7 win over Indiana on Saturday. The Wolverines shut out the Hoosiers in the second half.
The 9-0 Georgia Bulldogs remained atop the CFP rankings followed by Alabama, Oregon and Ohio State, which all have 8-1 records. Cincinnati (9-0) moved up to No. 5, the highest ranking for a Group of Five team, but is still chasing that elusive spot in the Top Four.
The Wolverines will travel to face Penn State this Saturday, while the Spartans will host Maryland.
Mel Tucker Says Michigan State's Goals Are Ahead of Them After Upset Loss vs. Purdue
Nov 7, 2021
EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 30: Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker paces the sideline during a college football game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Michigan Wolverines on October 30, 2021 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, MI. (Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The No. 3 Michigan State Spartans suffered a disappointing 40-29 loss to the unranked Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday, but head coach Mel Tucker is ready to move on from the defeat.
"All of our goals are ahead of us," Tucker said, per ESPN's Tom VanHaaren. "We're going to block out all the noise, we're going to circle the wagons. The most important voices are going to be the voices inside of our building. And then we're going to go back to work and get ready for Maryland. That's what we got to do."
He added: "We're going to own it — give those guys credit where credit is due. They beat us, and we need to execute better at a higher level."
The Spartans were outplayed on each side of the ball Saturday. Boilermakers quarterback Aiden O'Connell completed 40-of-54 passes for 536 yards and three touchdowns, compared to Spartans signal-caller Payton Thorne, who completed 20-of-30 passes for 276 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Spartans allowed Purdue to convert on 11-of-18 third downs, compared to Michigan State's offense, which went 6-of-13 on third down. The Michigan State defense also allowed 9.9 yards per pass.
Tucker also told reporters after the game that he'll need to review film to decipher why his defense struggled a lot against Purdue:
"What's next? That's what's most important," Tucker said. "What's next? We have to get on the film, get the courage to understand why. We need to get those things fixed, and then we need to get ready for Maryland. And that's the only thing there is to do."
The Michigan State defense entered Saturday's game as one of the worst in the Big Ten, allowing 424.6 yards per game. However, the team's offense ranked within the top five, averaging 444.6 yards per game.
Despite Saturday's loss, the Spartans still have a chance to make the College Football Playoff. Beating Ohio State later this month would be huge for Michigan State, and winning the Big Ten would be the team's best chance at returning to CFP contention.
In addition to Ohio State, the Spartans are also set to face Maryland next weekend and AP No. 22 Penn State in their regular-season finale on Nov. 27.
Kenneth Walker III, No. 3 Michigan State Upset by Purdue for 1st Loss of Season
Nov 6, 2021
Purdue wide receiver David Bell (3) makes a catch for a touchdown against Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell completed 40-of-54 passes for 536 yards and three touchdowns as the unranked Boilermakers upset the No. 3 Michigan State Spartans 40-29 on Saturday.
Wide receiver David Bell caught 11 passes for 217 yards and one score to pace the Boilermaker passing attack. Jackson Anthrop added six receptions for 80 yards and one score.
The Boilermaker possessed the ball for 35:13 en route to its dominant offensive performance.
Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III had 156 total yards and one touchdown to lead the Spartan offense. Quarterback Payton Thorne had three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) to go along with 323 yards (276 passing, 47 rushing) and an interception.
Tre Mosley caught both of Thorne's touchdowns en route to three catches and 44 yards.
Michigan State played without wideout Jalen Nailor and left tackle Jarrett Horst, per Matt Wenzel of MLive.com.
Thorne's 32-yard touchdown run and the ensuing point-after attempt tied the game at 21 in the third quarter.
Purdue responded with 16 consecutive points thanks to a King Doerue one-yard touchdown run and a trio of Mitchell Fineran field goals.
Thorne found Mosley for an 11-yard touchdown in response, and the signal-caller's pass to Maliq Carr for a two-point conversion made the score 37-29 in Purdue's favor with 5:03 left.
The Boilermakers then shut the door on Michigan State's comeback attempt with a 10-play, 76-yard drive capped by a Fineran 22-yard field goal with 41 seconds remaining. The drive started with an O'Connell pass to Doerue for 46 yards.
Purdue moved to 6-3 overall (4-2 Big Ten). The Spartans fell to 8-1 (5-1 Big Ten).
Purdue's passing game controlled this contest, and a trick play helped swing momentum firmly in its favor.
Michigan State ended up tying the game, but Purdue's passing attack kept the Spartans on their heels. Bell played a big part in that effort, as he continued his collegiate dominance:
🚨 RECORD-BREAKER 🚨@DB3LL now with 15 career 100-yard games -- a new Purdue school record.
On defense, Purdue did give up 29 points, but that group came up strong when needed the most. After MSU tied the game at 21, the Boilermakers forced a pair of punts and forced Thorne to throw an interception to Dedrick Mackey from 4th-and-goal on the Purdue nine-yard line with 9:12 left:
That proved true in the second half as Purdue slowed down the No. 3 Spartans just enough for the two-score win.
With that, Purdue notched its second win over a Top Five opponent this season. The Boilermakers beat No. 4 Iowa 24-7 on Oct. 16.
Purdue has a habit of beating Top Five Teams as an unranked underdog, as ESPN Stats & Info noted:
Purdue now has 17 wins against AP top 5 opponents as an unranked team. No other team has more than 11 such wins in the AP Poll Era (since 1936). pic.twitter.com/aA1rt4iVAD
Purdue will have another chance to knock off a top-ranked opponent when it visits No. 5 Ohio State next Saturday at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Michigan State will host Maryland at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Kenneth Walker III's Heisman Trophy Odds Shift to +500 After 5 TDs vs. Michigan
Oct 30, 2021
Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III celebrates his touchdown against Michigan during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
If you were looking to buy low on Kenneth Walker III as a Heisman Trophy dark horse, that time has passed.
The Michigan State star is now +500 to win college football's top individual honor, the fourth-best moneyline at DraftKings Sportsbook. His odds skyrocketed following the Spartans' 37-33 victory over rival Michigan on Saturday.
Their offense was effectively a one-man show, as Walker carried the ball 23 times for 197 yards and five touchdowns. He now has 1,194 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground for 8-0 Michigan State.
At +170, Alabama's Bryce Young is the Heisman favorite, but he hasn't built an unassailable lead. Young's 2,453 passing yards and 26 touchdowns to three interceptions are impressive yet not otherworldly.
Michigan State still has trips to Purdue and Ohio State and will host Maryland and then Penn State in its finale. Should the Spartans win out, Walker could overtake his fellow contenders in the Heisman race.
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Kenneth Walker III Rushes for 5 TDs as No. 8 MSU Knocks Off No. 6 Michigan
Oct 30, 2021
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 30: Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Michigan State Spartans scores a first half touchdown in front of Vincent Gray #4 of the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 30, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Michigan State remains perfect after notching the biggest win of the Mel Tucker era, a 37-33 victory over No. 6 Michigan on Saturday in East Lansing, Michigan.
Kenneth Walker III was a one-man wrecking crew, scoring all five of his team's touchdowns and putting MSU ahead for only the second (and final) time with 5:08 on the clock.
The eighth-ranked Spartans are now the Big Ten's only unbeaten team, and taking down their in-state rivals will be a big demonstration of their College Football Playoff bona fides.
On the other side, the result could take on an added importance depending on how the rest of the year shakes out for the Wolverines. A 7-0 start had some wondering whether things were finally changing under Jim Harbaugh. Instead, it looks like they're the same as they ever were.
(6) Michigan at (8) Michigan State will mark the 5th AP top-10 matchup in series history and the first since 1964. The road team won the 4 previous such games.
Michigan is 2-8 against AP-ranked opponents on the road under Jim Harbaugh, including 0-5 vs AP Top-10 teams. pic.twitter.com/1ESxp2PbpZ
Payton Thorne, QB, Michigan State: 19-of-31, 196 yards, two interceptions
Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State: 23 carries, 197 yards, five touchdowns; three receptions, 11 yards
Cade McNamara, QB, Michigan: 28-of-44, 383 yards, two touchdowns, one interception
Andrel Anthony, WR: Michigan: six receptions, 155 yards, two touchdowns
Walker Polishes Heisman Resume
Because of how much quarterbacks have come to dominate the award, Walker's odds of winning a Heisman Trophy weren't very good to begin Saturday. That may not be the case anymore.
Michigan State was playing from behind for almost the entire game, so head coach Mel Tucker had to lean on the passing game to move the ball quickly. When Walker did get the ball in his hands, he capitalized.
Payton Thorne did well to shake off a pair of early interceptions, but this installment of the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry was a showcase for Walker. His 58-yard touchdown run to help tie the game at 30 points in the fourth quarter certainly fit the bill for the proverbial "Heisman Moment."
If Michigan State manages to win the Big Ten—and even if the Spartans fail to get that far—Walker at least warrants a trip to New York City for the Heisman Trophy ceremony if he keeps performing like this.
Costly Fumble Overshadows Offensive Improvement
Heading into the game, ESPN's Bill Connelly wrote how this matchup would be a big test for Cade McNamara and a Michigan offense that ranked 91st in explosive play rate.
The Wolverines responded to the challenge on their first drive. On 3rd-and-5 from his own 7-yard line, McNamara hit Andrel Anthony, and the freshman wide receiver did the rest for a 93-yard touchdown.
McNamara and J.J. McCarthy, who played a handful of snaps, weren't shredding Michigan State's secondary with deep throws down the field. Instead, they found consistent success with intermediate throws that added up to a lot of yardage.
vs Zone and Man they're forcing Sparty to cover more yards vertically and horizontally. Makes area in zone a lot bigger than only running routes 20 yards and down. Makes DBs have to actually cover instead of sit when they're in man.
Harbaugh's decision to deploy both McNamara and McCarthy came back to bite him in the fourth quarter, though.
Michigan averted disaster when a fumble by McCarthy bounced out of bounds. The Wolverines weren't as fortunate the second time around as McCarthy mishandled a handoff to Blake Corum.
McCarthy’s earned the right to play in a game like this. But he also just fumbled on the last drive. He doesn’t necessarily deserve a second chance in the biggest game of the year when Cade is dealing the way he has all day.
Michigan fans are also left to rue the defensive touchdown that was wiped off the board in the second quarter when the referees determined Thorne was down before losing control of the ball. Aidan Hutchinson had recovered the fumble in the end zone.
The Spartans eventually punted, and the Wolverines settled for a field goal on their next drive. The four points they lost sure would've helped late in the game.
What's Next?
Michigan hosts Indiana on Nov. 6, while Michigan State hits the road to play Purdue.
LSU Head Coaching Rumors: Mel Tucker Expected to Be Candidate to Replace Ed Orgeron
Oct 17, 2021
PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 09 : Head coach Mel Tucker of the Michigan State Spartans reacts on the sidelines during the second half of a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 31-13. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
As LSU and head football coach Ed Orgeron are expected to part ways this offseason, the school may have already identified a candidate for his replacement.
According to Adam Rittenberg of ESPN, Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker has been mentioned by "several industry sources" as a potential option for LSU's coaching search.
In his second year has Michigan State head coach, Tucker has coached the Spartans to a 7-0 record and a No. 9 ranking. Michigan State topped Indiana 20-15 on Saturday and is one of two remaining undefeated teams in the Big Ten along with Michigan.
Michigan State went 2-5 in 2020, but Rittenberg noted that Tucker was able to achieve a quick turnaround after he "flipped the Spartans' roster through the transfer portal this summer." Rittenberg also described Tucker as a "top-level recruiter."
Tucker is in just his third year as an FBS head coach, leading Colorado to a 5-7 record in 2019 and taking the MSU job after one season. Prior to that, Tucker spent time on defensive coaching staffs at Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State and LSU.
Tucker also has extensive experience as an assistant in the NFL. He was defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars as defensive coordinator. He was promoted to interim head coach in 2011 when Jacksonville fired head coach Jack Del Rio.
The Spartans are off this week before rivalry showdown against the No. 6 Wolverines at home on Oct. 30.
Football Player Sues Michigan State for Suspension amid Sexual Assault Investigation
Oct 11, 2021
Michigan State's logo is seen on Spartan Stadium before the start of an NCAA college football game between Michigan State and Tulsa, Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
A Michigan State football player, known only as John Doe, has filed a lawsuit against the school claiming he has been unfairly suspended amid a sexual assault investigation, per Ken Palmer of the Lansing State Journal.
A female student said the sophomore was one of two Spartans football players to sexually assault her in January 2021. The plaintiff denies the claim, saying the encounter was consensual.
Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker suspended the player indefinitely from all team activities after learning of the accusation in February. The investigation remains active, preventing the player from returning to the team.
"Depriving plaintiff of access to the football team's activities deprives plaintiff of a substantial educational opportunity," the lawsuit states.
The woman asked Michigan State to conduct a formal investigation on March 30, although there has been no resolution to this point.
"MSU has not completed the grievance process, has not submitted the case to the final decision-makers, has not held a hearing, and has not provided Plaintiff with either updates regarding timing or an end date," the lawsuit stated, per ESPN's Paula Lavigne.
Michigan State didn't comment on the matter, calling it a "pending litigation," according to Matt Wenzel of MLive.com.
The school hired a new Title IX coordinator earlier this month with Nicole Schmidtke replacing Tanya Jachimiak in a role that oversees sexual assault allegations. Michigan State was fined $4.5 million by the U.S. Education Department in 2019 because of its lack of compliance with Title IX, mostly stemming from sexual assault allegations against former university doctor Larry Nassar.
Lavigne and Nicole Noren of ESPN also reported in 2018 an extensive list of sexual assault and domestic violence accusations against Spartans football players under then-head coach Mark Dantonio. Tucker was hired in February 2020 after Dantonio resigned.
Michigan State Football, Men's Basketball Players to Get Stipend from Mortgage Lender
Sep 8, 2021
COLLEGE PARK, MD - FEBRUARY 03: The Michigan State Spartans logo on pair of shorts during a women's college basketball game against the Maryland Terrapins at the Xfinity Center on February 03, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Michigan State football and men's
basketball players will receive a year-round, $500 monthly stipend as
part of a name, image and likeness deal with United Wholesale
Mortgage, which is run by former MSU walk-on basketball player Mat
Ishbia.
Tyler J. Davis of the Detroit Free
Press reported Wednesday the agreement covers all 133 players on the
football and men's basketball rosters. It follows a $32 million
donation from Ishbia to the school's athletic department in February.
"The Spartan family sticks together,
and that's what makes MSU athletics so special," Ishbia said. "Each
player contributes to the team in a positive way and we're excited to
help support them, while also helping educate consumers about the
benefits of independent mortgage brokers."
It's one of the largest agreements
since a Supreme Court ruling in June that said the NCAA couldn't
limit "education-related benefits" because of antitrust law,
which opened the door for student-athletes to sign NIL deals.
Ishbia was part of the Spartans'
championship squad during the 1999-2000 season, and his company has
hired former MSU players Mateen Cleaves, Charlie Bell and Adam Wolfe.
Cleaves discussed how much a monthly stipend could have improved his
life as a student-athlete, per Davis.
"I was a star athlete and having
access to resources like this would have made a huge difference in my
career in a very positive way," he said. "What UWM is doing for
these Spartan athletes is unprecedented, and aligns closely with what
Coach Izzo and MSU taught us, which is to always take care of our
family."
The announcement didn't state when the
payments to the athletes will begin.
Michigan State's football team opened
its season Friday with a 38-21 win over Northwestern. The men's
basketball squad will tip off the 2021-22 campaign Nov. 9 against
Kansas in the Champions Classic.
Antonio Gates Jr., Son of NFL Legend, Commits to Michigan State over Florida, More
Jul 26, 2021
Antonio Gates Jr. announced his commitment Monday to Michigan State on Twitter:
— AntonioGatesJr‼️‼️‼️ (@AntoniogatesJr1) July 26, 2021
The Michigan native is the son of Antonio Gates, who spent 16 years in the NFL with the Chargers while earning eight Pro Bowl selections. The 41-year-old leads all tight ends and ranks seventh in NFL history with 116 career touchdown receptions.
The younger Gates plays wide receiver but is considered a 4-star recruit and the No. 293 overall player in the class, per 247Sports' composite rankings.
The 6'1", 185-pound prospect had more than 20 scholarship offers, including from Florida, Penn State and Tennessee, but he liked what Michigan State has shown with young receivers.
"They utilize their receivers right, they had one of the top freshman receivers in the country last year and they're just a good program overall," he said of Michigan State in April, per Allen Trieu of 247Sports.
Spartans wideout Ricky White averaged 22.3 yards per catch as a freshman last year.
Gates will already have a head start on his father, who did not play football in college and instead played basketball at Kent State before reaching the NFL as an undrafted free agent. The future Hall of Famer initially signed with Michigan State to play football for then-coach Nick Saban, but he transferred to Eastern Michigan for the opportunity to play basketball before moving on to Kent.
