What are MSU football's punishments for NCAA violations under Mel Tucker?

Michigan State football got hit with massive NCAA punishments Wednesday, Nov. 12, including vacated wins from 2022-24.

MSU becomes the first program since Arizona State to have wins vacated by the NCAA. The Sun Devils vacated 10 wins in 2021-22 due to violations under coach Herm Edwards.

The Spartans were also hit with three years probation and fined.

Here’s every punishment from the NCAA levied against the Spartans:

Why was Michigan State football punished by NCAA?

  • MSU was deemed in violation of NCAA rules because former staff members under then-coach Mel Tucker “arranged for and provided impermissible recruiting inducements and benefits and unofficial visit expenses.” 
  • MSU allowed the participation of three ineligible players.
  • Assistants Saeed Khalif and Brandon Jordan along with other members of the football staff, offered or provided approximately $10,764 in impermissible recruiting inducements to six prospects who took unofficial visits to MSU.

MSU football must vacate wins

  • All 14 of the Spartans’ wins for the past three seasons will be vacated. MSU went 5-7 in 2022 under Mel Tucker, he and interim coach Harlon Barnett were 4-8 in 2023, and MSU was 5-7 in Jonathan Smith’s first season in 2024. One of those wins vacated? The 2023 opener when Connor Stalions, then a Michigan assistant, was dressed in disguise on the Central Michigan sideline.

MSU football fined by NCAA

  • MSU will be penalized $30,000 plus 1.5% of the football program’s budget.

MSU football on probation

  • MSU will receive restrictions on official visits, unofficial visits, recruiting communication, recruiting-person days and off-campus recruiting contacts and evaluations over a three-year probationary period.

Show-cause orders for ex-MSU assistants

  • Khalif and Jordan, along with other staffers, offered or provided approximately $10,764 in impermissible recruiting inducements to six prospects who took unofficial visits to MSU. Jordan gets a five-year show-cause order effective Sept. 25, 2025 that runs through 2030 for Level 1 NCAA violations. Khalif received a six-year show-cause order that runs through 2031.

Make “Spartan Speak” your go-to Spartans podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify).

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Every MSU football punishment for NCAA violations under Mel Tucker

Recent Posts

editors picks

Top Reviews