Mel Tucker, the former Michigan State University football coach, has made several statements in response to allegations and findings related to sexual misconduct. He has denied sexually harassing Brenda Tracy, a sexual assault prevention speaker, but admitted to masturbating during a phone call with her, claiming the interaction was consensual and part of a romantic relationship involving "phone sex"
. Tucker described the university's investigation as "fraught with countless factual and legal errors" and criticized the administration's handling of the case as biased and dysfunctional
. He has stated that he did not engage in misconduct "by any definition" and expressed difficulty forgiving himself for the situation he got into
. Tucker plans to appeal the decision by Michigan State University that found him responsible for violating the school's sexual misconduct policy and has indicated the possibility of filing a lawsuit against the university
. His legal team has also challenged the university's jurisdiction over the matter, arguing that it involved his "purely personal" relationship with Tracy and warning against policing employees' private lives outside of work
