Brandon Eggum has been named acting head coach for the Gophers wrestling team, as the University of Minnesota continues its investigation of longtime coach J Robinson.
Robinson, who is being investigated by the university after several wrestlers allegedly were involved in selling the prescription drug Xanax, is on administrative leave, which was enforced by new athletic director Mark Coyle in June.
Coyle said the internal investigation of Robinson was the reason for the decision to move Eggum, the team's head assistant coach, into the acting head coach's role. The Gophers needed "clear" and "continued leadership" going into the 2016-17 season, Coyle said in a statement.
Robinson was entering his 30th season with the program. Eggum joined Robinson's staff in 2001, becoming head assistant coach in 2011.
"As I said before, it's very important that we find out the truth and we collect all the facts," Coyle said Monday. "They're serious allegations, and we'll continue to gather information."
The Hennepin County attorney's office announced in late June no criminal charges would be pursued against Robinson and his wrestlers in connection with the suspected usage and selling of Xanax.
Eggum was a three-time All-America wrestler for the Gophers during his career from 1997 to 2000. The Sidney, Mont., native won the 1999 and 2000 Big Ten championships at 184 pounds, and he was a four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection.
