The maverick wrestling coach who won championships playing by his own rules lost his job of 30 years by doing just that.
J Robinson was fired from the University of Minnesota on Wednesday by athletic director Mark Coyle, who on his first day on the job banished the 70-year-old coach from campus in June while investigating Robinson's handling of an alleged drug ring involving more than a dozen wrestlers.
The firing ends a coaching career that will rank among the most decorated in Gophers history. Yet Robinson's run was as controversial as it was successful. He'll be remembered for questionable behavior and divisive comments, as well as his drill-sergeant leadership of a program that won three national championships.
Ultimately, it was Robinson's unwillingness to reveal details of the use and sale of the prescription sedative Xanax by Gophers wrestlers, and his alleged self-policing of the issue, that took him down.
"I'm terminating Coach Robinson's contract because he was not forthcoming with his superiors when reporting his suspicions about selling and abusing prescription medication," Coyle said. "... As I've said from the beginning of his situation, I have a great deal of respect for Coach Robinson and what he's accomplished during his 30 years at the University of Minnesota. That respect cannot excuse his conduct in this instance."
Coyle said the university fired Robinson with "just cause," meaning the university will not pay the remainder of Robinson's contract, worth over $500,000.
The decision comes nearly four months after reports first emerged the alleged drug problem permeating his team earlier this year. On June 1, Coyle placed Robinson on paid administrative leave, telling Robinson in writing, "You are not to be on campus."
Three months later, Coyle ended a summer of speculation and negotiation. Coyle said the university met with Robinson and his representatives several times this summer, but he said those talks will be kept private.
"In case anyone has not noticed, we do have a new sheriff in town and his name is athletic director Mark Coyle," said Dean Johnson, chairman of the U's Board of Regents. "There's little room, little tolerance for missteps in participating and representing the University of Minnesota. And that standard is strongly supported by (University President Eric Kaler) and very much supported by the Board of Regents."
The Star Tribune was unable to reach Robinson for comment, but it did obtain a letter Robinson sent Coyle on Aug. 30. Robinson wrote that the school's investigation supported "a pre-determined outcome to find fault with me. ... "
Robinson's letter disputes several points, but he writes, "I do not intend to address each inaccuracy and/or omission in the Report because there are far too many."
