Suspended Coach Mel Tucker
Michigan State University head football coach Mel Tucker has filed a federal lawsuit alleging the school fired him without due process in their desperate attempt to protect their jobs and reputations, the Detroit News reports.
The suit filed in federal court in Grand Rapids alleges his dismissal came amid the university's poor handling of previous scandals, including university doctor Larry Nassar, who is serving a life sentence for sexually assaulting scores of female athletes.
Tucker was fired last September in the midst of a multi-million dollar a year contract after sexual harassment allegatioins were made by Brenda Tracy, a rape survivor who works to prevent sexual violence through education of male athletes.
The suit names MSU, the board of trustees, Athletic Director Alan Haller, former interim President Teresa Woodruff and General Counsel Brian Quinn.
"In short, the individual defendants acted in their own self-interest to avoid the fate of their predecessors who were dismissed or forced to resign in the aftermath of the Larry Nassar and the other scandals involving the university, including its athletics programs," the lawsuit claims.
The lawsuit is sure to cause some heartburn at the school that has tried so hard to put its damaging scandals in the rear view mirror.
