Michigan State University football is facing significant consequences as the NCAA has placed the program on three years of probation due to recruiting violations that took place during Mel Tucker’s time as head coach. Notably, the Spartans will be required to vacate 14 wins, including five victories achieved under interim coach Jonathan Smith.
The NCAA determined that Tucker had violated head coach responsibility rules and failed to adequately monitor his program, which led to the acceptance of Level 1 violations. Despite Tucker’s claims of adhering to an NFL-style model for operations—where off-field duties were managed by a general manager—the organization concluded he did not effectively supervise his team. As part of the penalties, Tucker has been issued a three-year show-cause order, meaning he will face a 30% suspension of the football season in his new job if he secures one.
In addition to vacating wins from 2022 to 2024, the university will incur a financial penalty of $30,000 plus 1.5% of the football program’s budget as a result of impermissible recruiting inducements arranged by former staff members. The investigation revealed that Tucker’s staff had inappropriate contact with prospective athletes, leading to further sanctions, including restrictions on official visits and other recruiting activities during the probation period.
This decision marks the first instance since Arizona State’s 2021 violations that the NCAA has mandated win vacating for a program. The Spartans had a tumultuous run under Tucker, finishing with a 5-7 record in 2022, followed by a 4-8 record in 2023 under interim leadership, and are currently 3-6 in Smith’s initial year.
An MSU spokesperson confirmed that all victories from the last three seasons would be stricken from the record, and the investigative report revealed that several former staff members, including Saeed Khalif and Brandon Jordan, engaged in providing about $10,764 in improper benefits to recruits. Both staff members received lengthy show-cause orders for their roles in these violations.
President Kevin Guskiewicz and athletic director J Batt, who were not with the university during the incidents, shared a statement acknowledging the resolution of the NCAA investigation. They emphasized their commitment to upholding integrity and NCAA compliance, while also expressing disappointment regarding the penalties, particularly the vacated records.
Following his dismissal in September 2023 due to off-field allegations, Tucker’s tenure ended after he compiled a 20-14 overall record for MSU. The university is now focused on moving forward positively, emphasizing the need to strengthen compliance and integrity in its athletic programs.
As the Spartans navigate the repercussions of this investigation, there remains a hopeful outlook for their future under Jonathan Smith, where they can learn from past mistakes and work toward rebuilding a successful football program.