Mel Tucker, the football coach at Michigan State administration, said Tuesday that he was "disappointed - but not surprised" to discover that the administration plans to remove him next week.
In a statement posted through his agent, Neil Cornrich, Tucker branded the entire process a "miscarriage of justice" as he prepares for a hearing on a sexual
harassment lawsuit made by a notable rape survivor and activist. He claims that the university is unconcerned about his rights or the truth.
He also mentioned that he had just texted Athletic Director Alan Haller about "requesting a medical leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act for a serious health condition."
He did not elaborate on his health condition, but he did say the request was made "just days" before he received the university's notice of termination on Monday.
"I don't believe MSU plans to fire me because I admitted to an entirely consensual, private relationship with another adult who gave one presentation at MSU,
at my behest, over two years ago," he stated in the statement. "A cursory reading of the facts and timeline should lead any reasonable person to believe that other motives are at work.
"Tucker, who is now on paid leave and has $80 million remaining on his contract with MSU, has indicated that he will file a lawsuit against the institution,
noting "discovery," the phase of litigation in which information is exchanged between parties prior to a settlement or trial.
"I look forward to one day obtaining discovery against MSU, including the Trustees and Athletic Department, to see what they really knew and said about this matter, as well as their motives in handling the entire investigative process."
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