Editor's note: This story originally stated J Robinson's home had been searched by investigators. Robinson's agent, James C.W. Bock, and another source have since told the Star Tribune it was Robinson's campus office, not home, that was searched.
HUTCHINSON, MINN. – The University of Minnesota placed Gophers wrestling coach J Robinson on paid leave Wednesday, the same day sources confirmed that university police have searched Robinson's office and seized his computer as part of an investigation into his team's alleged drug abuse.
Mark Coyle, on his first day as Minnesota's athletic director, spoke to Robinson in person Wednesday morning and wrote him a letter that said, in part, "While on administrative leave, you are relieved of your regular University duties. … You are not to be on campus."
Robinson, 69, has not responded to phone and text messages since allegations surfaced last week that four Gophers wrestlers were selling the prescription sedative Xanax, with 10 to 12 wrestlers said to have taken the drug.
A Gophers wrestler, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Robinson offered to give his athletes amnesty if they wrote one-page confession letters. The source said the wrestlers had acquired 2,500 Xanax pills and turned over 1,400 of them to Robinson.
University police have been investigating the wrestling team since April 11 and obtained search warrants to probe Robinson's university office and personal computer. The university launched its own investigation Tuesday. Coyle said Robinson is on paid administrative leave "pending the conclusion of the investigation."
Coyle's letter to Robinson, obtained by the Star Tribune, says, "The University had hoped to interview you regarding the [wrestling team's drug concerns]. … However, you have notified the University through your attorney that you would not agree to be interviewed. If you change your mind, please let me know."
Robinson's agent, James C.W. Bock, did not return messages Wednesday. After issuing a two-page statement Monday that defended Robinson's role in handling the team's suspected drug abuse, Bock texted the Star Tribune on Tuesday, "I have no further comment until the University starts telling the truth about what it knows."