A former Big Ten football coach is reportedly missing as officials are searching for him with a lawsuit.
Former Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker, who was the Spartans head coach from 2020-23, is reportedly not reachable as officials attempt to locate him. Tucker, 53, was accused of sexual harassment by Brenda Tracy. Tracy, a rape survivor, had come to Michigan State’s campus several times to speak with the Michigan State football program about personal conduct.
Tracy alleged that Tucker behaved inappropriately and acted out sexually during a phone call. Tucker claims the phone call was consensual. However, Michigan State investigated the incidents and ended up firing him in 2023.
MSU’s student newspaper, The State News, reported on Wednesday that officials have been unable to locate Tucker. Tracy filed a lawsuit against Tucker, accusing the ex-Big Ten football coach of defamation.
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The State News is reporting that Tucker’s attorney attempted to reach him with certified letters. However, that was unsuccessful.
There were reportedly letters sent to Tucker’s home in East Lansing, as well as nine previously known addresses, and all of the letters were returned undeliverable.
It’s unclear where he is.
Mel Tucker really is living by the “bend don’t break” defense Can’t help but respect it pic.twitter.com/pwCkfFxqCh
— Magic’s Johnson (@magics_johnson1) March 26, 2025
From the report:
Tracy also hired a process server to attempt to find Tucker and serve him in person. That too was fruitless.
The server went to the East Lansing home owned by Tucker, but found that he is no longer living there, according to an affidavit filed with the court. A UPS driver reportedly told the server that Tucker’s ex-wife and ex-mother-in-law live in the house, but the former coach has not lived there since his recent divorce.
It’s unclear exactly what Tucker’s strategy is. Evading service of a lawsuit can delay the matter, but often brings more issues for the defendant down the road. If the court grants Tracy’s motion and Tucker continues to evade attempts to serve him, the case could end in a default judgment in her favor.
Hopefully, Tucker is OK and just wrongfully attempting to avoid being served.
