SANCTIONS FOR SPARTANS: NCAA HANDS DOWN PENALTIES FOR RECRUITING VIOLATIONS

Matti Tenney - November 13, 2025 

The NCAA has handed down major penalties to the Michigan State football program following an investigation into recruiting and eligibility violations that occurred during the tenure of former head coach Mel Tucker. The sanctions include a three-year probation, financial penalties, and the vacating of all 14 wins from the 2022–24 seasons, further scarring Tucker’s legacy in East Lansing.

The NCAA determined that three ineligible players had participated in games over a three-year span. The violations also included improper recruiting activities involving former staffers, including ex-general manager Saeed Khalif and defensive line coach Brandon Jordan.

In response, Michigan State self-reported a Level III violation, cooperating with the NCAA’s investigation. This move likely prevented harsher consequences for the Spartans. Still, the NCAA issued three years of probation, a $30,000 fine, and required the university to forfeit 1.5% of its football program’s budget. Based on their reported $58.6 million budget from 2024, that would be an additional $880,000.

As for the coaches and personnel themselves, Tucker, Khalif, and Jordan were all given show-cause orders. Tucker received a 3-year ban, Khalif a 6-year ban, and Jordan a 5-year ban. These penalties effectively bar them from coaching or recruiting duties at any NCAA institution during those timeframes without special approval.

For Michigan State, the repercussions go beyond the record book. The Spartans will face limitations on official visits, recruiting communications, and off-campus evaluations during the probation period. This is a blow to a program trying to rebuild under head coach Jonathan Smith, who arrived from Oregon State in late 2023.

These recruiting restrictions will make it harder for Smith’s staff to attract top talent, particularly as Big Ten competition continues to intensify with the addition of powerhouse programs in Oregon and Washington reshaping the landscape.

But fear not, Sparty, there are signs of optimism. The NCAA noted Michigan State’s “strong cooperation” and proactive compliance efforts under its current administration, signaling a shift toward accountability and institutional reform. For many around the program, the penalties represent a painful but necessary chapter, and a formal end to the turbulence of the Tucker era.

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