University of Idaho diving coach Jim Southerland has been placed on paid administrative leave after he was given an interim suspension by the U.S. Center of SafeSport and USA Diving, U of I athletics spokesman Michael Walsh confirmed Friday.
Southerland's status, and details of the accusation against him, were reported by USA Today earlier in the day.
Southerland and USA Diving informed U of I about the suspension on April 11, Walsh said. The university officially placed him on leave April 13, Walsh said, pending the investigation.
Southerland, who was the co-diving coach of the year in the Western Athletic Conference this year, is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a diver he was coaching before 2010, USA Today reported.