Mel Tucker facts for kids
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Tucker with Georgia in 2017
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| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 4, 1972 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1990–1992 | Wisconsin |
| 1994 | Wisconsin |
| Position(s) | Defensive back |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1997–1998 | Michigan State (GA) |
| 1999 | Miami (OH) (DB) |
| 2000 | LSU (DB) |
| 2001–2003 | Ohio State (DB) |
| 2004 | Ohio State (co-DC) |
| 2005–2007 | Cleveland Browns (DB) |
| 2008 | Cleveland Browns (DC) |
| 2009–2011 | Jacksonville Jaguars (DC) |
| 2011 | Jacksonville Jaguars (interim) |
| 2012 | Jacksonville Jaguars (AHC/DC) |
| 2013–2014 | Chicago Bears (DC) |
| 2015 | Alabama (AHC/DB) |
| 2016–2018 | Georgia (DC/DB) |
| 2019 | Colorado |
| 2020–2023 | Michigan State |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 25–21 (college) 2–3 (NFL) |
| Bowls | 1–0 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
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Melvin Gene Tucker II (born January 4, 1972) is an American football coach and former player. He was the head football coach for the Michigan State University football team from 2020 to 2023.
Before becoming a head coach, Tucker worked as a defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator for several college and professional teams. These included the Ohio State Buckeyes, Alabama Crimson Tide, Chicago Bears, and University of Georgia. He even served as an interim (temporary) head coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the National Football League (NFL) for a short time.
In 2021, Mel Tucker signed a very large contract with Michigan State. It was a 10-year deal worth $95 million, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football at the time. He left his role as head coach at Michigan State in 2023.
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Early Life and Playing Days
Mel Tucker was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He went to Cleveland Heights High School, where he was a great football player. After high school, he attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison. There, he played as a defensive back for the Wisconsin Badgers football team.
He graduated in 1995 after studying agricultural business. He even tried playing in the Canadian Football League for a short time after college.
Coaching Career Highlights
Mel Tucker's coaching journey began in 1997. He worked with many different teams in both college and the NFL.
Coaching in College (NCAA)
Tucker started as a graduate assistant at Michigan State in 1997. He then became a defensive backs coach for Miami University and LSU.
From 2001 to 2004, he coached at Ohio State. In 2002, he helped the team win a national championship. By 2004, he was promoted to co-defensive coordinator.
Coaching in the NFL
In 2005, Tucker moved to the National Football League (NFL). He joined the Cleveland Browns as a defensive backs coach. In 2008, he became the defensive coordinator for the Browns. Under his leadership, the Browns' defense was known for making many interceptions.
In 2009, Tucker became the defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2011, he took over play-calling for the defense, and the team's defense became one of the best in the NFL. Later that year, he became the interim head coach for the Jaguars for the last five games. He won two of those games.
In 2013, Tucker became the defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears. He worked there for two seasons before returning to college football.
Return to College Coaching
In 2015, Tucker joined the Alabama Crimson Tide as an assistant head coach and defensive backs coach. That season, Alabama won the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship.
From 2016 to 2018, he was the defensive coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Leading the Colorado Buffaloes
On December 5, 2018, Mel Tucker became the head coach for the Colorado Buffaloes. In his only season there in 2019, his team finished with 5 wins and 7 losses.
Leading the Michigan State Spartans
On February 12, 2020, Tucker became the head coach at Michigan State. This move was a big step up for him.
His first season in 2020 was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The team started late and finished with 2 wins and 5 losses. However, they did beat their rival, Michigan, which was a big win for Tucker's first year.
2021 Season Success
The 2021 season was a huge success for Michigan State under Coach Tucker. The team started with 8 wins in a row. This included another exciting comeback win against their rival, Michigan. This made Tucker the first Michigan State coach to beat Michigan in his first two tries.
The Spartans reached as high as No. 3 in the national rankings. They finished the regular season with 10 wins, which was their best record since 2017. They then went on to win the Peach Bowl against Pittsburgh, finishing with 11 wins. This was their best season since 2015.
After this successful season, Mel Tucker received a large 10-year contract extension from Michigan State. He also won the Big Ten Coach of the Year award.
2022 and 2023 Seasons
The 2022 season was tougher for the Spartans. After starting with two wins, they lost four games in a row. They finished the season with 5 wins and 7 losses.
In 2023, Michigan State won their first two games. However, Mel Tucker left his role as head coach on September 27, 2023.
Coaching Record Summary
Mel Tucker's overall coaching record includes his time as a head coach in both college and the NFL.
- College Overall Record: 25 wins, 21 losses
- NFL Overall Record: 2 wins, 3 losses (as interim head coach)
- Bowl Game Record: 1 win, 0 losses
