IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Department of Education is launching an investigation into the University of Iowa’s handling of gender discrimination claims against athletic director Gary Barta. In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, the department’s Office for Civil Rights notified the school of the investigation last week and requested numerous documents.

Four members of the women’s field hockey team filed a complaint in August alleging that Barta’s decision to fire coach Tracey Griesbaum was part of a pattern of discrimination against strong female coaches. Barta has denied the allegation. He says Griesbaum was fired after an investigation found concerns about how some players were treated.

The Office for Civil Rights says it will look into the school’s failure to investigate a sex discrimination complaint against Barta filed by students in October.