REPORT: FBI Looking At Ex-Assistant Who Blew Whistle On Rutgers Coach

Elsa/Getty ImagesFormer Rutgers coach Mike RiceThe FBI is looking at whether Rutgers University was extorted by a former assistant coach who blew the whistle on fired coach Mike Rice's abuse of student athletes, The New York Times reports.

An unnamed university official told the Times that the FBI visited the office of Rutgers' athletic director as part of its investigation.

That assistant coach, Eric Murdock, had his lawyer send Rutgers a letter demanding $950,000 two weeks after Rice was suspended over his behavior, according to the Times.

After Rutgers refused to pay, Murdock publicized galling video of Rice during practice. The video shows Rice hitting athletes with balls, shoving them, and using anti-gay slurs towards them. Rice was fired after the video became public.

A lawyer for Murdock did not immediately respond to the Times' request for comment.