Check out the incredible man cave and other tools that Spartans coach Mel Tucker uses to recruit top players to Michigan State

Cork GainesJul 27, 2022, 00:48 IST

Coach Mel Tucker recently gave me a tour of the Michigan State football facilities and where he hosts recruits.Cork Gaines/Insider

In Mel Tucker's first full season as the football coach at Michigan State, the Spartans went 11-2, finished the season in the top 10 for the first time in six years, and beat Michigan.
The school rewarded Tucker with a 10-year, $95 million contract extension.
Now comes the hard part: Keep winning. But Tucker has a plan for that, and one of the biggest pieces is becoming a more significant player in recruiting top talent, whether they are in high school or transferring from another school.
In addition to making a $95 million commitment to Tucker, the school has also secured $87 million to renovate and upgrade its football facilities which will be completed in 2023.

One of the most important recruiting tools in modern college football is the pristine modern football facility, and Michigan State is spending $78 million to expand theirs and rename it after famed basketball coach Tom Izzo. Construction has started, and the project will be completed next year.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

One of the most important recruiting tools in modern college football is the pristine modern football facility, and Michigan State is spending $78 million to expand theirs and rename it after famed basketball coach Tom Izzo. Construction has started, and the project will be completed next year.

Until then, recruits can enjoy football coach Mel Tucker's man cave, where he hosts the families. The basement of his house includes a Michigan State Football-branded basketball court that Tucker converted from an art gallery, as it was used by the house's previous owner.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

Until then, recruits can enjoy football coach Mel Tucker's man cave, where he hosts the families. The basement of his house includes a Michigan State Football-branded basketball court that Tucker converted from an art gallery, as it was used by the house's previous owner.

The court has a large digital photo frame that he uses to rotate photos depending on who is in attendance.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

Off the side of the court is a sitting area, outfitted with a large TV and a fireplace, perfect for Michigan winters.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

Sitting on these chairs, guests need to keep their heads on a swivel.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

Behind the court is another TV sitting area with mini football helmets commemorating stops in Tucker's career, from Ohio State to the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars. There is also a cool painting of "Gruff Sparty" smoking a cigar.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

Behind the court is another TV sitting area with mini football helmets commemorating stops in Tucker's career, from Ohio State to the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars. There is also a cool painting of "Gruff Sparty" smoking a cigar.

There is a well-organized kitchenette.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

With plenty of candy and even a popcorn machine.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

The pool room also has a TV, Michigan State-branded billiards balls, and the coach's game ball collection.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

When not working on football, Tucker is grinding away on his golf game with a built-in home simulator, where he can play almost every major golf course in the world.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

The man cave also has a cigar room with its own air filtration system.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

It also has a humidor (of course) and a card table.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

The area also has a theater room.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

When not playing or watching games, Tucker hosts his guests on an expansive deck and well-manicured backyard.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

There is a gorgeous, multi-tiered water feature. It's said that coach likes to have some of his one-on-one conversations with recruits in these chairs.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

To get around town, Tucker even has a new personalized 3-wheeled Polaris Slingshot that he plans to use when hosting recruits.

Cork Gaines/Insider

Back on campus, when walking into the football facility, guests are greeted by many of Michigan State's most significant trophies.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

The mannequins displaying the team's uniforms make it clear this is a Nike school, a selling point for some young recruits.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

Tucker and the program have embraced the slogans "Keep Choppin'" and "Relentless." Both are found everywhere you look at the facilities.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

Visitors are also constantly reminded who the Spartans' biggest rival is. The Michigan logo is always upside-down.

Cork Gaines/Insider

Recruits and their families also visit Tucker's office, which is meticulous.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

Nikes are on display.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

He even has a display featuring all of his personal Air Jordans.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

There are also reminders that Tucker knows a thing or two about winning.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

More rings.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

On game days, recruits and their families spend time at the engagement center inside the stadium.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

There are photo opportunities.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

A place to sit and eat.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

They are also greeted by all the team's rivalry trophies. They are in possession of all of them currently, including the Paul Bunyan trophy for beating Michigan.

Cork Gaines/Insider

Unfortunately, I don't have eligibility left.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State FootballCork Gaines/Insider

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Check out the incredible man cave and other tools that Spartans coach Mel Tucker uses to recruit top players to Michigan State

One of the most important recruiting tools in modern college football is the pristine modern football facility, and Michigan State is spending $78 million to expand theirs and rename it after famed basketball coach Tom Izzo. Construction has started, and the project will be completed next year.

Until then, recruits can enjoy football coach Mel Tucker's man cave, where he hosts the families. The basement of his house includes a Michigan State Football-branded basketball court that Tucker converted from an art gallery, as it was used by the house's previous owner.

The court has a large digital photo frame that he uses to rotate photos depending on who is in attendance.

Off the side of the court is a sitting area, outfitted with a large TV and a fireplace, perfect for Michigan winters.

Sitting on these chairs, guests need to keep their heads on a swivel.

Behind the court is another TV sitting area with mini football helmets commemorating stops in Tucker's career, from Ohio State to the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars. There is also a cool painting of "Gruff Sparty" smoking a cigar.

There is a well-organized kitchenette.

With plenty of candy and even a popcorn machine.

The pool room also has a TV, Michigan State-branded billiards balls, and the coach's game ball collection.

When not working on football, Tucker is grinding away on his golf game with a built-in home simulator, where he can play almost every major golf course in the world.

The man cave also has a cigar room with its own air filtration system.

It also has a humidor (of course) and a card table.

The area also has a theater room.

When not playing or watching games, Tucker hosts his guests on an expansive deck and well-manicured backyard.

There is a gorgeous, multi-tiered water feature. It's said that coach likes to have some of his one-on-one conversations with recruits in these chairs.

To get around town, Tucker even has a new personalized 3-wheeled Polaris Slingshot that he plans to use when hosting recruits.

Back on campus, when walking into the football facility, guests are greeted by many of Michigan State's most significant trophies.

The mannequins displaying the team's uniforms make it clear this is a Nike school, a selling point for some young recruits.

Tucker and the program have embraced the slogans "Keep Choppin'" and "Relentless." Both are found everywhere you look at the facilities.

Visitors are also constantly reminded who the Spartans' biggest rival is. The Michigan logo is always upside-down.

Recruits and their families also visit Tucker's office, which is meticulous.

Nikes are on display.

He even has a display featuring all of his personal Air Jordans.

There are also reminders that Tucker knows a thing or two about winning.

More rings.

On game days, recruits and their families spend time at the engagement center inside the stadium.

There are photo opportunities.

A place to sit and eat.

They are also greeted by all the team's rivalry trophies. They are in possession of all of them currently, including the Paul Bunyan trophy for beating Michigan.

Unfortunately, I don't have eligibility left.