NCAA puts Michigan State football program on 3 years of probation for recruiting violations
The NCAA also penalized the school $30,000 plus 1.5% of the team’s budget after agreeing that former staff members Saeed Khalif and Brandon Jordan broke recruiting rules.
EAST LANSING, Mich. — 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 that former staff members Saeed Khalif and Brandon Jordan 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.
The university fired coach Mel Tucker more than two years ago, saying he 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.
Michigan State (3-6, 0-6 Big Ten) will host Penn State on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
Because of the participation of three ineligible players, the Spartans’ 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 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.”
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 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 Tucker and is 8-13 overall and 3-12 in the Big Ten in two seasons — including the vacated wins.