Michigan State University - Halftime report

Michigan State has suspended fourth-year coach Mel Tucker without pay amid allegations of sexual misconduct involving prominent activist Brenda Tracy, who has accused Tucker of inappropriate behavior during a phone call in April 2022.

While a formal hearing to determine if these actions violated school policy won't occur until early October, Tucker is not expected to retain his position. He was signed to a 10-year, $95 million contract extension in 2021, which at the time was the largest ever given to a college football coach in terms of overall value.

If so, Michigan State would be in the market for the program's third head coach since 2007. The potential candidates include several coaches with current or former ties to the program, most notably interim coach Harlon Barnett and Wisconsin defensive coordinator Mike Tressel, who was previously an assistant with the Spartans for more than a decade. Another possible contender is Tucker's predecessor, former successful Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio, who returned to the program this week in the role of associate head coach.