Mel Tucker signs 10-year contract extension
Mel Tucker has signed a 10-year contract, pending approval by the Board of Trustees, according to a press release from Michigan State University on Wednesday night.
According to the release, Tucker will make 9.5 million dollars per year with a base salary of 5.9 million, 3.2 million in supplemental compensation for media and personal appearances, plus a 400,000 contingent annual bonus. The contract expires on January 15, 2032.
“The Board of Trustees fully supports a new contract for Coach Tucker,” said Dianne Byrum, chairperson of the MSU Board of Trustees. “We are very happy with his success at Michigan State University and the renewed excitement for our football program among the Spartan Community.”
Athletic director Alan Haller characterized the extension an investment in the future of Michigan State football.
"The decision to extend Mel Tucker’s contract is not based on one year of results, but rather it’s an investment in a promising future for Spartan football,” Haller said. “Since his hire in February 2020, the program has experienced high levels of success in three key areas: student-athlete development - on and off the field, recruiting momentum and donor and alumni base engagement and support. Mel has brought an energy to this program which has benefitted not only our athletic department, but also the university and the surrounding community.”
Tucker's deal has the support of Michigan State President Samuel Stanley.
“Mel Tucker has been an outstanding addition to our Spartan Athletic program,” Stanley said. “In less than two years, his leadership has already resulted in a program competing for top honors, and I’m impressed by his intensity and drive. Spartan fans around the country are enjoying the success of this year’s football program and we look forward to many more successful seasons, competing at the highest levels under Coach Tucker.”
Tucker has led MSU to a 9-2 record and a No. 12 ranking in the College Football Playoff Top 25. The Spartans have been ranked in the Top 25 of the national polls for 10 consecutive weeks, including six in the Top 10. MSU’s seven-win turnaround this season from a year ago already ties a school record.
Tucker has been named to watch lists for National Coach of the Year by the Dodd Trophy and the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award. He garnered national coach of the week accolades by the Dodd Trophy and The Athletic following Michigan State’s 37-33 victory over No. 6 Michigan on Oct. 30, as he became the first Spartan coach to win his first two games against the Wolverines (27-24 victory at No. 13 Michigan on Oct. 31, 2020).
Four of Tucker’s 11 wins at Michigan State have come against Top 25 opponents.
“Some of the greatest success we’ve had as a basketball program at Michigan State has come when the football team has experienced its own success," said MSU basketball coach Tom Izzo. "Simply put, when football is successful, it makes our entire department better – it helps recruiting, it benefits fundraising, everyone just has more Spartan pride.
"There’s no question that Mel and his team are having a great season. It’s been fun, not only to watch them play, but also to talk to the team when Mel’s invited me to do so. It’s very apparent something special is happening in the football building and I’m excited to be a part of it.
"In Mel, I think we have a driven, no-nonsense coach who I’m happy will be around us for the next 10 years. We have recruited, fundraised and are building a friendship which I think will help Michigan State be in a position to be one of the premier programs in the country."