A Michigan television station, citing anonymous sources, reported Tuesday that Gophers coach P.J. Fleck contacted former Western Michigan linebacker Robert Spillane before Spillane was given his release from WMU this week.
WWMT-TV in Kalamazoo, said Fleck was "answering questions" about his "alleged recruitment" of Spillane.
A Gophers football spokesman responded by saying Fleck is not recruiting his former players.
One of Western Michigan's top defensive players last season, Spillane was granted his release Monday, which will allow him to transfer to another school. Coaches are not allowed to contact their former players after leaving a school, while the players are still part of the program, per NCAA rules.
But there were no indications Tuesday that Spillane will be transferring to Minnesota.
"We are not recruiting any students from Western Michigan," Gophers spokesman Paul Rovnak told the Star Tribune.
JOE CHRISTENSEN
