Judge Dismisses Brenda Tracy Lawsuit Against Former Michigan State Coach Mel Tucker

The decision comes after a university investigation found Tucker sexually harassed Tracy during a 2022 phone call.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:15pm

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A judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by sexual abuse survivor advocate Brenda Tracy against former Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker. The judge found the claims were either barred by statutes of limitation or lacked an actual issue for a jury to consider. Tracy's suit alleged that Tucker made false statements to intentionally ruin her reputation and public image.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing legal battles between Tracy and Tucker, as well as the broader issues of sexual harassment and misconduct in college athletics. The dismissal of this lawsuit does not resolve the other outstanding suits between the two parties.

The details

The lawsuit, filed in October 2024, was dismissed after the judge found the claims were either barred by statutes of limitation or lacked an actual issue for a jury. A previous 2023 lawsuit between Tracy and Tucker was also dismissed in May 2024. In addition to these lawsuits, Tucker filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Michigan State in August 2024, and Tracy filed a suit against the university's board of trustees in June 2025 - both of which are still ongoing.

  • The judge's decision to dismiss the lawsuit came down on Wednesday, January 29, 2026.
  • The lawsuit was filed by Tracy in October 2024, over a year after Michigan State fired Tucker for cause following a university investigation.
  • The university investigation in 2023 found that Tucker sexually harassed Tracy during a phone call in April 2022.

The players

Brenda Tracy

A sexual abuse survivor advocate who filed a lawsuit against former Michigan State coach Mel Tucker.

Mel Tucker

The former head football coach at Michigan State University, who was fired for cause in 2023 following a university investigation that found he sexually harassed Brenda Tracy.

Wanda Stokes

The judge who dismissed Brenda Tracy's lawsuit against Mel Tucker.

Andrew Abood

One of Mel Tucker's attorneys, who commented on the dismissal of the lawsuit.

Jonathan Smith

The first-year head coach at Michigan State University in 2024, after Mel Tucker was fired.

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What they’re saying

“Unfortunately, Mel Tucker's stay at Michigan State University will be long remembered not for his two victories against (the University of) Michigan but for, you know, this occasion. But he can put this behind him.”

— Andrew Abood, Attorney for Mel Tucker

What’s next

Tucker's wrongful termination lawsuit against Michigan State University and Brenda Tracy's lawsuit against the university's board of trustees are both still ongoing.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex and ongoing legal battles between Brenda Tracy and Mel Tucker, as well as the broader issues of sexual harassment and misconduct that continue to plague college athletics programs. The dismissal of this particular lawsuit does not resolve the other outstanding suits, and the full resolution of this matter remains uncertain.