Michigan State University on Monday moved to fire head football coach Mel Tucker for cause, which would relieve the university of the obligation to pay him the remainder of 10-year, $95 million fully guaranteed contract Tucker signed two years ago. There’s $80 million left on the contract, according to MLive.com.

MSU athletic director Alan Haller sent a letter to Tucker’s agent, attorney Neil Cornrich, to provide notice of the university’s decision. The letter claims that MSU “has amassed a body of undisputed evidence of misconduct that warrants termination for cause.” It also provides Tucker (and Cornrich) seven days to rebut the university’s findings.

The letter refers to complaints by a university vendor, national sexual assault victims rights advocate Brenda Tracy, who spoke with the team in 2021. In a phone call with Tucker a year later, Tucker reportedly masturbated. He said it waswith Tracy’s consent as part of “phone sex.” She said it was without her consent.

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The letter details its reasons for invoking a “for cause” firing, which follows a university investigation for prohibited conduct pursuant to MSU’s relationship violence and sexual misconduct and Title IX policy. Stated reasons include Tucker’s alleged admissions to “commenting to the Vendor about her looks, body and body parts, specifically her ‘ass,’” and to “making flirtatious comments to the Vendor in conversations that you state ‘happened often.’”

MSU contends it has legal grounds to fire Tucker for cause under Section III of his contract. Section III refers to “early termination” and states the school can end the contract, without liability, if Tucker “engages in any conduct which constitutes moral turpitude” or “would bring public disrespect, contempt or ridicule upon the…