Former Rutgers basketball assistant coach Eric Murdock caught in FBI probe: Report

The former Rutgers basketball assistant coach who blew the whistle on former head coach Mike Rice is the subject of a federal investigation, according to published reports.

The FBI is investigating Eric Murdock, a former NBA player who served as director of player development under Rice from 2010-2012, on potential extortion charges related to a letter he sent the university demanding $950,000, according to the New York Time Times. The letter said if the school did not pay, he would file a wrongful termination lawsuit, according to reports.

The Times also reported that the FBI had questioned former athletic director Tim Pernetti, who resigned Friday, about the case.

Pernetti and Rice both lost their jobs after Murdock publicized a video of Rice hurling both basketballs and derogatory words — including gay slurs — at his players during practice. Pernetti had seen the video as early as last November, and at the time only suspended Rice for three games.

Rutgers fired Rice the university’s president Robert Barchi said he saw it for the first time last week.