Michigan State University mentioned it could fireplace its head soccer coach, Mel Tucker, amid an investigation into allegations that he sexually harassed a lady who visited the varsity to coach its soccer staff about sexual misconduct. The college had already suspended him earlier this month.

In a letter sent to Mr. Tucker on Monday, the college described “a body of undisputed evidence” that confirmed the previous coach had breached his employment settlement. The letter mentioned his actions constituted “moral turpitude” warranting termination.

Mr. Tucker was given seven days to reply and clarify why he shouldn’t be terminated, Alan Haller, vice chairman and director of intercollegiate athletics at Michigan State, mentioned in a statement, noting that the method was required as a part of Mr. Tucker’s contract. The investigation stays ongoing, he mentioned.

In an e mail, the lady’s lawyer mentioned her shopper was not commenting on Mr. Tucker’s termination. The college didn’t identify her in its letter to Mr. Tucker.

Mr. Tucker couldn’t be instantly reached for touch upon Monday night. In a press release launched final week, he described the allegations as “completely false,” The Associated Press reported, noting that the previous coach had criticized the lady for suggesting their relationship was not consensual.

According to the letter, the lady, an activist towards sexual violence and herself a survivor of gang rape, visited the college in July 2021 to show its soccer staff how one can stop sexual misconduct. She got here ahead the following yr with allegations that Mr. Tucker had made “unwelcome sexual advances” and “masturbated on a phone call with her without her consent.”

The college mentioned that it had opened an investigation in mild of her complaints, and that Mr. Tucker had admitted to creating feedback to the lady “about her looks, body and body parts” in addition to “making flirtatious comments” and “masturbating and making sexually explicit comments” about himself and the lady whereas on the telephone together with her. Mr. Tucker described these conversations as “phone sex” and “a late-night intimate conversation,” the letter mentioned.

Given Mr. Tucker’s admitted actions, the college mentioned it’d terminate him on the grounds that he had introduced “public disrespect, contempt or ridicule upon the university,” in line with the letter. If he doesn’t carry ahead “sufficient reasons” to dispute the grounds for termination, he might be terminated on Sep. 26, the letter mentioned.

Monday’s announcement evoked painful reminiscences of the college’s function in one other sexual misconduct case. Michigan State was closely criticized for its dealing with of sexual abuse studies relating to Lawrence G. Nassar, the former physician for the American gymnastics team, who was lengthy employed by the college. Mr. Nassar acquired a number of sentences in 2017 and 2018 for intercourse crimes involving tons of of victims. He is anticipated to spend the remainder of his life in jail.

Mr. Tucker was appointed as head coach of Michigan State’s soccer staff, the Spartans, in 2020. He had beforehand served on a number of N.F.L. and school teaching staffs. The college signed a 10-year, $95 million contract extension with him in 2021, making him one of many highest paid coaches in school soccer.

A listening to on the investigation into Mr. Tucker’s conduct is scheduled for early subsequent month, the college mentioned.