By Jordan Long
The Michigan State University Spartans football team is preparing to take on Ohio State University. The game is on Saturday with kickoff set at 10:00 AM Mountain Time. Michigan State enters the game at 9-1 ranked 7th in the College Football Playoff rankings. Ohio State has the same record but is ranked 4th. The winner could have the inside track to make the 4 team playoff in College Football. Michigan State University decided to give Head Coach Mel Tucker a contract extension.
Tucker enters his second season as Head Coach of Michigan State University. Before taking the job, he was the Head Coach of the University of Colorado. There he was trying to rebuild the program but left after a 5-7 finish in 2019, his only season in Boulder, Colorado. After the disappointing year, Tucker told the media that he wasn’t interested in the Michigan State University opening.
On February 8th, 2020 according to NBCsports.com, Tucker said, “While I am flattered to be considered for the head coaching job at Michigan State, I am committed to CU Buffs Football for the build of our program, its great athletes, coaches, and supporters.”
Of course, that statement was false. Tucker left Colorado for Michigan State University on February 12, 2020. His statement was a falsehood because Tucker wasn’t honest with his actions. The guy was interested in the job but clearly felt Michigan State University was the better choice for him. He has been able to turn Michigan State University back into a powerhouse in football, at least this year, while Colorado is still trying to build a better program.
Last year in the COVID shortened season, Michigan State University didn’t play well under Tucker. They were 2-5. This season they are playing great football and have a chance to not only win the BIG 10 Championship, but be in the College Football Playoff. Every program wants is an opportunity to win a National Title.
With Michigan State University having such a great year, Tucker and the school are working towards a new deal which should be done as soon as today. The reported contract is 10 years, $95 million, or paying Tucker $9.5 million per year.
This is a large sum to pay Tucker for two years at Michigan State University. He has turned the program around to this point. Tucker is only 11-6 for Michigan State University, not enough time to decide on a long-term contract. Michigan State should have waited at least another year or two to see how well Tucker coaches. It could be next year Michigan State University isn’t playing football at this level. Their record might be worse. The only reason they are going to make this deal work is so Tucker won’t leave for another job. Tucker must win a few Big 10 Championships and appear in College Football Playoff games as well as advancing to the National Championship. They are gambling their future on only two years and that is a lot of money to pay him.
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