MSU receives notice of allegations from NCAA regarding self-reported offense

MSU FOOTBALL

Then-Michigan State coach Mel Tucker watches the team’s game against Rutgers, Nov. 12, 2022, in East Lansing. Tucker was fired by MSU in September, 2023. ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

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By Connor Earegood

The Detroit News

Michigan State has reached a key step in the NCAA’s investigation into violations the university self-reported.

According to the NCAA’s Division I infractions dashboard, Michigan State has received a notice of allegations for self-reported violations dating to August 2023. Only Level I and II violations are tracked by the dashboard.

NCAA enforcement deals with three levels of violations. Level III violations (“secondary” violations) are the lowest tier and are usually processed by enforcement staff itself, usually resulting in minimal penalties. Level I and II violations are more severe, submitted to the Committee on Infractions. Michigan State’s violations fall into the latter category, though The Detroit News is unable to confirm the exact level.

The Detroit News reached out to a Michigan State spokesperson for comment.

Michigan State president Kevin Guskiewicz told The Detroit News on April 2 that the university was under investigation for recruiting violations during the tenure of football coach Mel Tucker. The News has not verified whether that is the same violation referenced by the NCAA infractions dashboard, though the timelines match.

“We’re trying to make the case that this is a whole new coaching staff,” Guskiewicz told The News’ editorial board, referring to Jonathan Smith, who was named MSU’s head football coach Nov. 25, 2023.

Tucker became Michigan State’s 25th head football coach in February 2020, but left embroiled in scandal in September 2023 after rape survivor and activist Brenda Tracy filed a sexual harassment claim with Michigan State. The university terminated Tucker’s record-breaking 10-year, $95 million contract, saying that he violated a “moral turpitude.” Tucker is suing Michigan State in federal court for wrongful termination, while Tracy is suing Tucker in civil court for defamation.

The NCAA’s investigation into these self-reported violations began Aug. 29, 2023, as a result of Michigan State’s self-report. After more than a year of document requests and interviews, NCAA enforcement held a review board Nov. 6, 2024. Michigan State selected its initial resolution method — a written-record hearing — Dec. 13, 2024, before the NCAA approved this selection Jan. 23 following a meeting with Committee on Infractions chair Kay Norton.

Once given a notice of allegations, one of four resolutions can occur. If a school agrees with the investigation and accepts its findings and corresponding penalties, the case is closed via negotiated resolution. If a school agrees with the facts and level of violations but not classification or penalties, it can proceed via summary disposition. If a school disagrees with the investigation, it can request a hearing in front of the Committee on Infractions. Or, if there is “limited disagreement” between a school and NCAA enforcement, the case can proceed in a written record hearing.

Michigan State’s selection of a written record hearing means it accepted some of the NCAA investigation’s facts, violations or level of violation found. As part of this process, involved parties submit allegations, their level of agreement and remaining issues with written submissions to the Committee on Infractions. According to the NCAA website, the committee will focus on the contested portions of the case and decide violations and penalties on the written record. After deliberation of the written record, the committee will determine whether violations occurred and prescribe penalties.

Schools have 90 days to respond in writing to a notice of allegations, though extensions may be provided. According to the NCAA website, the notice of allegations is provided to institutional officials such as a school’s president, athletic director, compliance director and faculty athletics representative, as well as those “at risk for involvement in violations” including head coaches and other staffers.

Schools have the right to appeal decisions to the Infractions Appeals Committee. According to the NCAA, this committee affirms whether information in the record supports what the Committee on Infractions decided. In the case that the appeals committee decides that “no reasonable person” could have made the Committee on Infractions’ decision, then the appeals committee may set aside the previous decision.