LANSING, Mich. – Attorneys representing former Michigan State University football coach Mel Tucker filed a formal response Thursday to a defamation lawsuit brought by sexual assault prevention advocate Brenda Tracy, marking the latest development in a controversy that has rocked MSU and drawn national scrutiny.
Tucker was fired by Michigan State in 2023 following an internal investigation into a sexual harassment complaint made by Tracy, who alleged that Tucker made unwanted sexual advances during a series of professional interactions. Tucker has consistently denied the allegations, claiming the relationship was consensual and private in nature.
In the newly filed legal response, Tucker’s attorneys laid out a broad defense strategy, arguing that Tracy’s defamation lawsuit is without merit. Among several points raised, the defense notably asserts that Tracy “consented to any alleged sexual acts,” a claim that directly contradicts Tracy’s original complaint.
The filing also includes multiple legal defenses designed to challenge the foundation of Tracy’s lawsuit, including arguments regarding First Amendment protections and assertions that Tucker’s statements did not meet the legal threshold for defamation. Tucker’s team is also seeking dismissal of the lawsuit in its entirety.
Tracy filed the defamation suit earlier this year, accusing Tucker of publicly making false and damaging statements about her character and her account of the events. She claims Tucker’s comments were made with malicious intent, aiming to discredit her advocacy work and undermine her credibility.
In addition to the defamation suit, Tracy is pursuing separate legal action against Michigan State University, alleging the institution failed to appropriately respond to her complaint and mishandled the internal investigation.
Tracy’s attorney declined to comment on Tucker’s filing.
The legal battle arrives as universities across the country face mounting pressure to strengthen Title IX enforcement and support for sexual misconduct survivors. For Michigan State, the case has reopened painful questions about institutional accountability in the wake of the Larry Nassar scandal that led to sweeping changes within the university.
Tucker, who was once among the highest-paid coaches in college football, maintains that his interactions with Tracy were consensual and part of a private relationship that was mischaracterized. Tracy, a prominent figure in the field of sexual assault prevention, has insisted that she never consented to the behavior Tucker described and views his public statements as both defamatory and retraumatizing.
No court dates have yet been set for the defamation case, and it remains unclear how quickly the legal process will move forward.
