Mel Tucker Monday presser

I've heard others mention a similar understanding of a criminal charges clause in Tucker's contract. If it even exists, this can't possibly be what it means.

It would be absurd to have it built-in that a football coach can be fired if any player is charged with a criminal offense. Obviously this is an extreme case where the charges happen while they are together as a team and multiple players are involved, but picture a player getting picked up for stealing a beer from a corner store. No coach is accepting a clause where they are now in jeopardy because a random freshman tried to sneak out some alcohol.

If there's a criminal charges clause in his contract--and I wouldn't be surprised if the whole thing is fictional--it's almost certainly about whether the coach faces criminal charges.

That’s called gambling.  

From the 97.1 Spartee slappies show just now … allegedly.  

“Mike and Rico both said “mark my words, this is going to spill into the fans during a game at some point”
-JH is a master manipulator. Like a Karen who waives their finger in your face telling you what to do then cries foul when you try to move her out of your way.”

If this was true it said in the radio … ok.  Not surprised. Of course broadcasters on the other hand ….
 

https://247sports.com/college/michigan-state/board/93/Contents/valenti-on-point-today-196551171/?page=1

As I've always said...live by the portal, die by the portal.

Highly unlikely. What coach would agree to a contract provision where his  contract could be terminated because a player engages in inappropriate or even criminal conduct over which he has no direct control?  Mel had a lot of bargaining power at the time he executed his deal. I’m betting dollars to donuts you won’t find such a clause. 

That is a university with a world of problems. Five presidents in five years? Good stuff. I don't envy any thoughtful graduate of MSU at the moment. 

I was about to post this exact same thing. The Tucker-Hoke comparisons (outside of the contract) continue to mount. He knows that this is a problem, but the difference is at least Hoke would have called and apologized, Tuck is going down with his players. Also saw Gemon and his family hired Tom Mars as an attorney, that isn't good news for the MSU players involved.

Anyone who has been paying attention the last thirty years knows this is EXACTLY what michigan state is - as an institution (lack of oversight of the AD from the Trustees & President), to the athletic department (lack of oversight of their individual teams and personnel), and coaches (lack of influence of player behavior).

There is absolutely nothing of value gained in having msu as part of the big ten. Our predecessors were right from the very beginning - they DO NOT belong in this conference.

There's really two possibilities:

1. He's been hung out to dry, a la Dave Brandon & Brady Hoke 

2. He was told to avoid admitting anything and avoid commenting on an ongoing legal issue. 

Remember that neither head coach directly witnessed these attacks. But also witness the CLEAR differences in leadership between Harbaugh and Tucker:

Harbaugh spent time sorting things out with the team, the police, the folks running the media & security cameras. He checked in with his boss and got on the same page. He has clearly impressed upon his team the need to NOT retaliate nor snipe over social media. He's talked to Green's family. He took charge.

Tucker has avoided the topic and pleaded ignorance since the first minute. His University President released a statement before he did. He's undoubtedly had access to the security footage and other recordings that Harbaugh did, and I wouldn't be surprised if he and Harbaugh have spoken personally. 

There's no scenario where Tucker shouldn't have been prepped for his Monday press conference. He KNEW these questions were coming, or should have. He should have had a team of lawyers prepping his responses. He should have had a written statement he could have read. This kind of stuff has happened before, there's a fucking formula for handling it. 

Unless he's been salted and hung out to dry. I think Tucker's being thrown under the bus here. 

"He sounds like a complete jackass up there, with no contrition or accountability for the culture he has set"

I think the word you were looking for is perpetuated, not set.  Glorification of thug culture has been a thing at state WAY before Mel arrived.

Let's never forget the culture started with the "buckeye in spartan clothing" Mork D'antisportmanio. 

Go BLUE. 

I agree, but I'd hasten to add that this is the culture that he inherited from Dantonio and then has purposely nurtured. 

Yeah, although I just watched an edited version and Tucker did say he was "deeply sorry" to both universities pretty much at the top. Much as we would all like him to suck eggs and fail, I'm not sure that's how this one will come off. 

I think most people would be uncomfortable in this situation. That's why companies hire PR firms to handle situations like this. The one thing Mel has going for him is Auburn firing their coach to take some of the national media pressure away.