In the ongoing fire of allegations engulfing the Michigan State football program, a new log has been thrown onto the blaze. Former disgruntled assistant coach Curtis Blackwell claims that he and his former staff were required to film practices of opposing teams. News of this surfaced just yesterday.
A new state lawsuit filed by Curtis Blackwell alleges (among other things) that Michigan State secretly taped practices of a future opponent in a different state before a game. Story coming soon.
— Dan Murphy (@DanMurphyESPN) March 10, 2020
Originally hired in 2013 as a recruiting coordinator, Curtis Blackwell was unceremoniously let go on 2017. This came at a time in which the program was in the midst of an investigation due to sexual assault. Three players were the subjects of this investigation: Josh King, Donnie Corley, and Demetric Vance. Blackwell was arrested for allegedly interfering with the investigation, but he was never charged. Former athletic director Mark Hollis suspended Curtis with pay. Eventually, his contract expired. However, it was renewed, but on a monthly basis. This continued on until Mark Dantonio ultimately fired him, citing a “philosophical change” was the reason.
If what @DanMurphyESPN posted about the latest allegations by Curtis Blackwell involving Dantonio and Michigan State end up being true, it will be more than a slap on the wrist for the Spartans. https://t.co/0JtspRmcA4
— Isaiah Hole (@isaiahhole) March 10, 2020
The recently relieved coordinator states that one of the conditions of his employment was to record practices of opponents without consent. He objected to this condition and other instructions to offer improper benefits to players. Blackwell thinks his refusal to do so was one of the catalysts that led to his eventual termination. In addition to that, charges of discrimination and breach of contract have been brought to the table by Blackwell. If proven true, such claims are in direct violation of the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act.
More from the Curtis Blackwell lawsuit — he is alleging more NCAA violations by Mark Dantonio, including that the coach ordered staff to secretly record practice sessions of a future opponent.
— Detroit News Sports (@detnews_sports) March 10, 2020
From @TonyPaul1984 https://t.co/uteLFMtloE pic.twitter.com/ISL7TXfPLJ
Blackwell's claims against Dantonio include the following: pic.twitter.com/tDoR55Vjsc
— Dan Murphy (@DanMurphyESPN) March 10, 2020
Curtis Blackwell sees himself as the perfect “fall guy” in relation to the sexual misconduct investigation with the Spartan football program. Currently, he is seeking more than $5 million in wrongful termination and wrongful arrest suits he’s filed against the school. What will come of this situation? The outcome may take quite a while to surface. In the meantime, it looks as though the fire will continue to grow.