Mel Tucker bolts Colorado, Pac-12 for head coaching job at Michigan State

The Pac-12 lost another head coach, as Mel Tucker reportedly will leave Colorado to become the new head coach at Michigan State.

BREAKING: #CU coach Mel Tucker has agreed in principle to become the new head coach at #MichiganState, per sources. After Tucker turned down initial interest, MSU power brokers came back repeatedly to Tucker’s reps w/ an offer that was impossible to ignore https://t.co/qjOH0qKirQ

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) February 12, 2020

Tucker will replace Mark Dantonio who announced his resignation last week after being head coach in East Lansing for thirteen seasons.

Tucker was at Colorado for one season, after he was hired to replace Mike MacIntyre.  The Buffaloes went 5-7 in 2019, 3-6 in conference play, and struggled mightily on defense.  Tucker came to Colorado after being defensive coordinator at Georgia where he helped the Bulldogs to an appearance in the national championship game.

Tucker joins Mike Leach (Mississippi State) and Chris Petersen (retirement) as other Pac-12 head coaches to leave their posts this off-season.

In a statement, Colorado AD Rick George said: “We are disappointed to see Coach Tucker leave.  We are excited about the upward trajectory of our football program and we’ll get to work immediately to hire the next head coach to build on our momentum and lead our young men.  We’re confident this program is on the verge of competing at the highest level and has the resources and support in place to do so for a long time.”

For more reaction, check out John Canzano’s piece on Oregon Live, and Jon Wilner’s insights on what it means for the strength of the Pac-12.

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