Michigan State University will vacate 14 football victories earned between 2022 and 2024 after the NCAA concluded its investigation into recruiting violations that occurred during the tenure of former head coach Mel Tucker.
The sanctions, announced in November 2025, include a three-year probation, financial penalties, and multiple show-cause orders for former program staffers found to have provided impermissible benefits to recruits and players.
Violations and Findings
According to the NCAA’s negotiated resolution with Michigan State, the violations centered on two former staffers — Saeed Khalif, the program’s former general manager, and Brandon Jordan, a former assistant coach.
Both were found to have knowingly facilitated impermissible recruiting inducements and benefits to prospects, resulting in players being deemed ineligible for competition.
The NCAA determined that because these ineligible players participated in games, the wins earned during those seasons must be vacated.
While investigators did not find that Tucker personally arranged the violations, the NCAA’s head coach responsibility rule resulted in a three-year show-cause penalty for him as well.
Penalties Imposed
The full list of penalties includes:
- Vacated Wins: 14 victories from the 2022–2024 seasons.
- Probation: Three years for the football program.
- Financial Fines: $30,000 plus 1.5% of the football program’s 2024 operating budget.
- Show-Cause Orders:
- Mel Tucker – three years.
- Saeed Khalif – six years.
- Brandon Jordan – five years.
The vacated wins include five victories from the 2024 season under current head coach Jonathan Smith, as ineligible players carried over from previous years were found to have participated.
Context: The Tucker Era
Mel Tucker’s time at Michigan State has been controversial since his record-breaking 10-year, $95 million contract in 2021.
His firing in 2023 came amid unrelated misconduct allegations and a separate Title IX investigation.
The NCAA’s sanctions now add a new layer of fallout to his tenure, focusing on recruiting conduct and staff oversight rather than personal misconduct.
Under NCAA rules, a head coach is responsible for ensuring their staff complies with regulations — even if the coach does not personally commit the violations.
Impact on Michigan State
The sanctions officially erase three seasons of wins from the record books, though the games themselves remain part of the on-field history.
Statistical records and historical totals will be adjusted to reflect the vacated results.
The three-year probation will include compliance audits, increased NCAA oversight, and annual reporting requirements.
While the fines are relatively minor compared to major football budgets, the reputational damage and recruiting consequences could prove far more significant.
In a statement, Michigan State officials said the university accepts responsibility and “is committed to stronger compliance practices moving forward.”
Looking Ahead
The Spartans’ football program now faces the challenge not just attempting to rebuild under Jonathan Smith but consider moving on with Smith at all amid the fallout of this ruling. MSU will need to maintain strict adherence to recruiting guidelines and oversight standards during its probationary period.
Observers expect the sanctions to affect the program’s image in the short term, though NCAA officials noted that the university’s cooperation with the investigation was a key factor in avoiding harsher penalties.