NCAA puts Michigan State football
on 3 years of probation for recruiting violations under Mel Tucker
[November 13, 2025]
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The NCAA put Michigan State's
football program on three years of probation and penalized the
school $30,000 plus 1.5% of the team's budget after agreeing former
staff members Saeed Khalif and Brandon Jordan under coach Mel Tucker
broke rules regarding recruiting inducements and benefits,
communication and unofficial visit expenses.
Michigan State announced Wednesday that it had reached a negotiated
resolution with the NCAA.
Due to the participation of three ineligible players, wins from the
2022 through 2024 seasons were vacated and restrictions have been
placed on recruiting for three years.
“Today’s announcement brings closure to an NCAA investigation
resulting from violations committed by a previous staff," Michigan
State University President Kevin Guskiewicz and athletic director J
Batt said in a joint statement. “Michigan State pursued a negotiated
resolution to minimize the penalties and limit the possible impact
on our current football student-athletes and staff, who were not
involved in the violations. With this matter behind us, we are able
to move forward, focusing on the present and future of Spartan
football.”
Michigan State fired Tucker more than two years ago, saying the
coach failed to present adequate reasons why he should not be fired
for cause after having what he described as consensual phone sex
with an activist and rape survivor.
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Tucker was not involved in the recruiting
violations, according to the NCAA, but was penalized under head
coach responsibility rules and has contested the decision in
writing. He was given a three-year, show-cause order that
effectively bans him from college athletics during the time period.
“The panel noted that Tucker followed an NFL model
for his program, running all off-field operations through Khalif,
his general manager,” the NCAA said. “As a result, Tucker failed to
adequately monitor his program.”
The NCAA said Khalif, who was the team's general manager under
Tucker, and Jordan, a pass-rushing specialist coach, did not
cooperate with the investigation. Khalif was given a six-year,
show-cause order and Jordan's will last five years.
Jonathan Smith was hired to replace him and is 8-13 overall and 3-12
in the Big Ten in two seasons — including the vacated wins.
The embattled coach will lead the Spartans on Saturday at home
against Penn State and interim coach Terry Smith in a matchup of
teams with 3-6 records overall and 0-6 marks in the conference.
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