Michigan State Closing In On Massive Extension For Mel Tucker

Michigan State is closing in on signing head coach Mel Tucker to a 10-year, $95 million extension, the Detroit Free Press reports.

The impending deal would make Tucker the second-highest paid coach in the FBS, just behind Alabama's Nick Saban. Tucker will make $9.5 million per season, while Saban makes $9.7 million. The new figure is a bump up from the $5.6 million he made this season. He was reportedly on LSU's shortlist to fill its head coaching vacancy.

The Free Press reports that two alumni members will donate the private funding to the school for Tucker's reworked contract.

Tucker, 49, emerged on the scene as a member of Saban's staff in 2015, before serving as Georgia's defensive coordinator from 2016-2018. He was named Colorado head coach on Dec. 5, 2018, and went 5-7 in his lone season in Boulder.

Tucker is in his second season as head coach of the Spartans. After finishing 2-5 in 2020, Michigan State has become a major player in college football in 2021. The Spartans are 9-1 and sit at No. 7 in the College Football Playoff rankings. Tucker has a signature win on his resume, defeating No. 6 Michigan in East Lansing on Oct. 30.

The win over Michigan put Tucker on the map, but there's still more work to do this season, however. Tucker will have his biggest challenge to date on Saturday, traveling to play No. 4 Ohio State (9-1, 7-0 Big Ten) in the Horseshoe at Noon on ABC.