Mel Tucker is an American football coach who is currently the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans football team.
He was born on January 4, 1972, in Cleveland, Ohio, and played college football at the University of Wisconsin as a defensive back.
Tucker began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Michigan State in 1997.
He then went on to coach at various universities, including Miami (Ohio), LSU, Ohio State, and Alabama, before becoming the defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL in 2009.
He has also served as the defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, and Georgia Bulldogs.
In 2019, Tucker was hired as the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes football team, where he led the team to a 5-7 record in his first season.
However, after just one season, he left Colorado to become the head coach at Michigan State in February 2020.
Tucker is known for his defensive coaching expertise and has been recognized for his contributions to the sport.
He was named the 2015 FootballScoop Defensive Coordinator of the Year while at the University of Georgia and has coached several players who have gone on to successful careers in the NFL.
Mel Tucker’s wife
Tucker’s wife is JoEllyn Tucker.
The couple have been married since 1997 and have two children together.
JoEllyn has been a supportive partner to Mel throughout his coaching career, which has included stops at various universities and in the NFL.
She has also been involved in philanthropic work, including supporting organizations that focus on education and children’s health.
While JoEllyn is not as well-known as her husband, she has played an important role in his personal and professional life.
Mel Tucker’s career
Tucker began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin, in 1997.
He then spent several years as an assistant coach at various colleges, including Miami (Ohio), LSU, and Ohio State.
In 2005, Tucker made the jump to the NFL, joining the Cleveland Browns as their defensive backs coach.
He then spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he served as the defensive coordinator from 2009 to 2012.
During his time in Jacksonville, Tucker’s defense ranked in the top 10 in the league in both total defense and scoring defense.
After his stint in Jacksonville, Tucker returned to the college ranks, serving as the defensive coordinator at the University of Georgia from 2014 to 2015.
He then spent one season as the defensive coordinator at the University of Alabama before being hired as the head coach at the University of Colorado in 2019.
Tucker’s time at Colorado was short-lived, however, as he was hired by Michigan State in 2020 to replace longtime head coach Mark Dantonio.
In his first season at the helm, Tucker led the Spartans to a 2-5 record in a shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the rocky start, Tucker is widely regarded as a talented coach with a bright future in the sport.
He has a reputation for being a strong recruiter and a defensive mastermind, and he has worked with some of the top programs and coaches in the country.
With his experience and expertise, Tucker is poised to continue making an impact in the world of football for years to come.
